Disassembly technology revolutionizes fabric recycling

What’s new: A team of Danish scientists at Aarhus University has developed a groundbreaking method that separates synthetic fibers like elastane from fabrics, paving the way for efficient recycling of mixed textiles that was previously not feasible.

Why it matters: As the fashion industry grapples with environmental challenges, the ability to deconstruct and recycle blended fabrics could significantly reduce waste and pave the way for a more sustainable manufacturing cycle.

Digging into the details

The Discovery: Assistant Prof. Steffan Kvist Kristensen and colleagues showcased a technology that meticulously separates fibers from elastane-containing mixed fabrics, making recycling a real possibility for previously non-recyclable clothes – a crucial step in textile sustainability.

Method Explained: This involves heating garments embedding elastane to 225 degrees Celsius in the presence of alcohol and a chemical base, breaking the tough inter-molecular bonds – all within a ‘large pressure cooker.’

Chemical Breakthrough: Without using harsh compounds, this eco-friendly procedure utilizes common chemicals like potassium hydroxide to accelerate the process, which after around four hours, leaves different fibers separated and ready for reuse.

The Challenge Ahead: While successful on a small-scale in the lab, the practical hurdle is to scale this operation for the mass disassembly of clothing at an industrial level. Denmark may not have the facilities yet, Kristensen says, but countries with larger chemical industries, such as Germany, could potentially adopt and upscale the practice.

Implications for the Global Textile Industry

Business Prospects: For this method to truly have an impact on recycling and manufacturing, major chemical producers must acknowledge the utility and economic appeal of reusing recycled materials — a requirement for the tech to be industrially adopted.

The Bigger Picture: Kristensen’s innovation emerges as a necessity against the backdrop of today’s environmental concerns, targeting a sustainable future for the textile industry and the world at large by confronting the waste dilemma head-on.

Looking Forward: Advocating for a circular economy, this technological advance may not only mitigate waste in landfills and incineration but also reduce the resource-intensive process of producing virgin materials – a win-win for the industry and the environment.

This story was first published on jpost.com.