Circular economy and sustainability
FIBRE TO FIBRE FULL CIRCULARITY IN THE TEXTILE SECTOR THROUGH NOVEL POLYESTER RECYCLING TECHNOLOGIES
LIFE POLITEX
Incentives
Despite available recycling technologies across Europe, less than 50% of discarded clothing is collected for potential reuse or recycling, and only 1% is recycled into new clothing. Brands are increasingly transitioning to recycled versions of synthetic fibres, mainly polyester, typically using polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. However, to truly establish circular economies in the textile industry, converting textile waste back into new textiles is imperative.
LIFE POLITEX represents a pioneering effort to become the first industrial pilot plant for comprehensive fibre-to-fibre recycling technology. This initiative seeks to demonstrate complete closed circularity of polyester within the textile sector, transforming processed textile waste into new polyester fibres in a single industrial process.
Objectives
The project aims to address the significant problems of textile waste generation and accumulation in landfills or incineration, driven by the fast fashion industry. The current system of textile production, distribution, and use operates in an almost entirely linear fashion. Coupled with the concept of fast fashion, this has led to significant problems of textile waste generation and accumulation in landfills or incineration.
Expected results
The LIFE POLITEX project aims to establish the first industrial pilot plant for comprehensive fibre-to-fibre recycling technology, showcasing the potential for a circular economy in the textile industry. The project aims to achieve closed circularity by implementing a comprehensive fibre-to-fibre recycling technology through the following key steps:
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Collection and Sorting: The project collects textile waste, including polyester-based materials, from various sources.
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Mechanical Recycling: The collected waste undergoes mechanical recycling.
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Chemical Depolymerization: The rPET flakes are further treated using chemical depolymerization.
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Polymerization and Spinning: The recovered monomers are then polymerized to create new polyester.
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Integration into Textile Production.
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End-of-Life Recycling: At the end of their life cycle, these textile products can be collected and recycled again, closing the loop.
Grant number: 101148221
Programme: Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE)
Period of execution: June 2024 – November 2027
Status: In progress
Entity: European Union
This project is Co-funded by the Europoena Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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R&D AREAS
New high-performance functionalised materials
Circular economy and sustainability
Advanced manufacturing, smart textiles and digitalisation
High value-added solutions for strategic markets
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