Project

ReMixT: Separation and recycling of mixed textiles

Code
179W04520
Duration
01 January 2021 → 30 June 2023
Funding
Regional and community funding: IWT/VLAIO
Research disciplines
  • Engineering and technology
    • Separation technologies
    • Recycling
    • Polymer recycling
Keywords
chemical recycling textile recycling solvent based recycling
 
Project description

An important sector for plastics is the textile sector, where recycling rates are currently lower than in other plastic sectors such as packaging. As many textile streams are blends of polymers, mechanical recycling is not obvious. Alternatively, textiles can be recycled via solvent-based technologies that allow separation of the various fibres and removal of additives. This leads to pure polymers that can immediately be used as new raw materials. In this project, we test different green solvents to selectively dissolve fibres from mixed textile streams. We also test the quality of the separated and purified polymers in new applications.