Solution for textiles containing polyester

In 2000, polyester replaced cotton as the leading fibre used in textile manufacture. Now, 20 years later, polyester production has doubled compared to what it was back in 2000. Over 60 percent of PET production is processed into polyester fibres and finds its way into the textile industry. Mixed fabrics containing polyester play a big role in the industry – with polyester fibres being especially important in sport and outdoor clothing. The amounts of polyester textiles disposed of are more than double the amounts of PET from packaging.

The key problem: Less than 1 percent of textiles are recycled in new textile applications; 12 percent go into lower value applications. In total, 87 percent of textiles are sent to landfill, incinerated or end up as uncontrolled disposal in the environment. Polyester fibres represent major problems in textile recycling, as there is not currently a way of recycling them. There is a huge need for action. The revolTEX® project is all about developing a solution.

Polyester = PET?

Polyester is identical to the packaging plastic PET. Therefore, polyester fibres can also be broken down into its components terephthalic acid (TA) and ethylene glycol (MEG) using revolPET® technology. However, there are specific challenges in the textile industry: The use of dyes and other fibre types, as well as substances that change product properties such as feel or UV protection. This means there are a variety of different chemicals, which have been incorporated into the revolTEX® method. As part of the revolTEX® research and development project, supported by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Economics, solutions have been development in which revolPET® technology is used to remove the impurities contained in the textile and to enable production of high quality monomers from the polyester fibres. The revolPET® technology is being used as the platform technology, adapted to the requirements of textile recycling. The revolTEX® project is identifying, evaluating and developing potential alternatives for eliminating the impurities.

The aim of revolTEX: To extract high-grade monomers from polyester fibres.

Our project partners

Research is most successful when expert partners come together.

The partners in this development are the Institute for Chemical and Thermal Process Engineering at Braunschweig Technical University and the Institute for Technical Chemistry at Clausthal Technical University.

Solutions for the textile and fashion industry