August, 2024

Selenis participates in the LIFE POLITEX project, aimed 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.

In 2020, the global textile industry consumed approximately 93 billion m³ of water, generated 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions, released around 1 million tonnes of microfibres into the oceans, and was responsible for 92 million tonnes of waste, representing between 3% and 10% of the EU's environmental impact. Synthetic fibres currently account for 64% of global fibre production, with polyester holding 54% of the market.

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.

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 keysteps:

  1. Collection and Sorting: The project collects textile waste, including polyester-based materials, from various sources. Sorting ensures that only suitable material senter the recycling process.
  2. Mechanical Recycling: The collected waste undergoes mechanical recycling. This involves shredding and processing the waste to create recycled polyester (rPET) flakes.
  3. Chemical Depolymerization: The rPET flakes are further treated using chemical depolymerization. This process breaks down the polyester molecules into their monomers (such as ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid).
  4. Polymerization and Spinning: The recovered monomers are then polymerized to create new polyester. These polymers are spun into high-quality polyester fibres.
  5. Integration into Textile Production: The recycled polyester fibres are integrated into textile production, creating new fabrics, garments, and other textile products.
  6.  End-of-Life Recycling: At the end of their life cycle, these textile products can be collected and recycled again, closing the loop.

LIFE POLITEX aims to reduce or eliminate the number of polyester textiles currently landfilled or incinerated by implementing new PET recycling methodologies and processes to depolymerize PES textiles into their basic constituents or monomers (BHET), which can be used as secondary raw materials to produce new recycled PES filament yarns for textile applications. The project will also recycle yarn and polymer waste through mechanical, chemical recycling, or alternative applications such as fibres for nonwovens for internal use.

LIFE POLITEX will scale up and validate the complete chemical recycling process at an industrial scale, combining novel waste treatment processes with depolymerisation and polymerisation technologies, already demonstrated at the laboratory scale (batch reactor, 20L) from post-consumer textile waste. The project aims to achieve overall yields close to 80% and a monomer (BHET) purity of around 99%.

August, 2024

Selenis participates in the LIFE POLITEX project, aimed 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.

In 2020, the global textile industry consumed approximately 93 billion m³ of water, generated 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions, released around 1 million tonnes of microfibres into the oceans, and was responsible for 92 million tonnes of waste, representing between 3% and 10% of the EU's environmental impact. Synthetic fibres currently account for 64% of global fibre production, with polyester holding 54% of the market.

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.

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 keysteps:

  1. Collection and Sorting: The project collects textile waste, including polyester-based materials, from various sources. Sorting ensures that only suitable material senter the recycling process.
  2. Mechanical Recycling: The collected waste undergoes mechanical recycling. This involves shredding and processing the waste to create recycled polyester (rPET) flakes.
  3. Chemical Depolymerization: The rPET flakes are further treated using chemical depolymerization. This process breaks down the polyester molecules into their monomers (such as ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid).
  4. Polymerization and Spinning: The recovered monomers are then polymerized to create new polyester. These polymers are spun into high-quality polyester fibres.
  5. Integration into Textile Production: The recycled polyester fibres are integrated into textile production, creating new fabrics, garments, and other textile products.
  6.  End-of-Life Recycling: At the end of their life cycle, these textile products can be collected and recycled again, closing the loop.

LIFE POLITEX aims to reduce or eliminate the number of polyester textiles currently landfilled or incinerated by implementing new PET recycling methodologies and processes to depolymerize PES textiles into their basic constituents or monomers (BHET), which can be used as secondary raw materials to produce new recycled PES filament yarns for textile applications. The project will also recycle yarn and polymer waste through mechanical, chemical recycling, or alternative applications such as fibres for nonwovens for internal use.

LIFE POLITEX will scale up and validate the complete chemical recycling process at an industrial scale, combining novel waste treatment processes with depolymerisation and polymerisation technologies, already demonstrated at the laboratory scale (batch reactor, 20L) from post-consumer textile waste. The project aims to achieve overall yields close to 80% and a monomer (BHET) purity of around 99%.

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Reduction in environmental pollution and emissions as waste is reused

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Material for insulation purposes

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High durability

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Easy to store and transport

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Simple and low-cost technique

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More than 14 communities and 128 families participated

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1,725 eco-bricks were recollected

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8,000 USD in vouchers for supermarkets were distributed to the families who participated – a huge relief in COVID times

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110,350 m2 of waste was recycled

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More than 110,350 m2 of constructions will be built

August, 2024

Selenis participates in the LIFE POLITEX project, aimed 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.

In 2020, the global textile industry consumed approximately 93 billion m³ of water, generated 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions, released around 1 million tonnes of microfibres into the oceans, and was responsible for 92 million tonnes of waste, representing between 3% and 10% of the EU's environmental impact. Synthetic fibres currently account for 64% of global fibre production, with polyester holding 54% of the market.

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.

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 keysteps:

  1. Collection and Sorting: The project collects textile waste, including polyester-based materials, from various sources. Sorting ensures that only suitable material senter the recycling process.
  2. Mechanical Recycling: The collected waste undergoes mechanical recycling. This involves shredding and processing the waste to create recycled polyester (rPET) flakes.
  3. Chemical Depolymerization: The rPET flakes are further treated using chemical depolymerization. This process breaks down the polyester molecules into their monomers (such as ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid).
  4. Polymerization and Spinning: The recovered monomers are then polymerized to create new polyester. These polymers are spun into high-quality polyester fibres.
  5. Integration into Textile Production: The recycled polyester fibres are integrated into textile production, creating new fabrics, garments, and other textile products.
  6.  End-of-Life Recycling: At the end of their life cycle, these textile products can be collected and recycled again, closing the loop.

LIFE POLITEX aims to reduce or eliminate the number of polyester textiles currently landfilled or incinerated by implementing new PET recycling methodologies and processes to depolymerize PES textiles into their basic constituents or monomers (BHET), which can be used as secondary raw materials to produce new recycled PES filament yarns for textile applications. The project will also recycle yarn and polymer waste through mechanical, chemical recycling, or alternative applications such as fibres for nonwovens for internal use.

LIFE POLITEX will scale up and validate the complete chemical recycling process at an industrial scale, combining novel waste treatment processes with depolymerisation and polymerisation technologies, already demonstrated at the laboratory scale (batch reactor, 20L) from post-consumer textile waste. The project aims to achieve overall yields close to 80% and a monomer (BHET) purity of around 99%.

August, 2024

Selenis participates in the LIFE POLITEX project, aimed 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.

In 2020, the global textile industry consumed approximately 93 billion m³ of water, generated 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions, released around 1 million tonnes of microfibres into the oceans, and was responsible for 92 million tonnes of waste, representing between 3% and 10% of the EU's environmental impact. Synthetic fibres currently account for 64% of global fibre production, with polyester holding 54% of the market.

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.

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 keysteps:

  1. Collection and Sorting: The project collects textile waste, including polyester-based materials, from various sources. Sorting ensures that only suitable material senter the recycling process.
  2. Mechanical Recycling: The collected waste undergoes mechanical recycling. This involves shredding and processing the waste to create recycled polyester (rPET) flakes.
  3. Chemical Depolymerization: The rPET flakes are further treated using chemical depolymerization. This process breaks down the polyester molecules into their monomers (such as ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid).
  4. Polymerization and Spinning: The recovered monomers are then polymerized to create new polyester. These polymers are spun into high-quality polyester fibres.
  5. Integration into Textile Production: The recycled polyester fibres are integrated into textile production, creating new fabrics, garments, and other textile products.
  6.  End-of-Life Recycling: At the end of their life cycle, these textile products can be collected and recycled again, closing the loop.

LIFE POLITEX aims to reduce or eliminate the number of polyester textiles currently landfilled or incinerated by implementing new PET recycling methodologies and processes to depolymerize PES textiles into their basic constituents or monomers (BHET), which can be used as secondary raw materials to produce new recycled PES filament yarns for textile applications. The project will also recycle yarn and polymer waste through mechanical, chemical recycling, or alternative applications such as fibres for nonwovens for internal use.

LIFE POLITEX will scale up and validate the complete chemical recycling process at an industrial scale, combining novel waste treatment processes with depolymerisation and polymerisation technologies, already demonstrated at the laboratory scale (batch reactor, 20L) from post-consumer textile waste. The project aims to achieve overall yields close to 80% and a monomer (BHET) purity of around 99%.

SELENIS’ ECO SLEEVE IS A SOLUTION DEVELOPED UNDER THEIR CIRCULAR ECONOMY PLEDGE

August, 2024

Selenis participates in the LIFE POLITEX project, aimed 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.

In 2020, the global textile industry consumed approximately 93 billion m³ of water, generated 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions, released around 1 million tonnes of microfibres into the oceans, and was responsible for 92 million tonnes of waste, representing between 3% and 10% of the EU's environmental impact. Synthetic fibres currently account for 64% of global fibre production, with polyester holding 54% of the market.

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.

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 keysteps:

  1. Collection and Sorting: The project collects textile waste, including polyester-based materials, from various sources. Sorting ensures that only suitable material senter the recycling process.
  2. Mechanical Recycling: The collected waste undergoes mechanical recycling. This involves shredding and processing the waste to create recycled polyester (rPET) flakes.
  3. Chemical Depolymerization: The rPET flakes are further treated using chemical depolymerization. This process breaks down the polyester molecules into their monomers (such as ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid).
  4. Polymerization and Spinning: The recovered monomers are then polymerized to create new polyester. These polymers are spun into high-quality polyester fibres.
  5. Integration into Textile Production: The recycled polyester fibres are integrated into textile production, creating new fabrics, garments, and other textile products.
  6.  End-of-Life Recycling: At the end of their life cycle, these textile products can be collected and recycled again, closing the loop.

LIFE POLITEX aims to reduce or eliminate the number of polyester textiles currently landfilled or incinerated by implementing new PET recycling methodologies and processes to depolymerize PES textiles into their basic constituents or monomers (BHET), which can be used as secondary raw materials to produce new recycled PES filament yarns for textile applications. The project will also recycle yarn and polymer waste through mechanical, chemical recycling, or alternative applications such as fibres for nonwovens for internal use.

LIFE POLITEX will scale up and validate the complete chemical recycling process at an industrial scale, combining novel waste treatment processes with depolymerisation and polymerisation technologies, already demonstrated at the laboratory scale (batch reactor, 20L) from post-consumer textile waste. The project aims to achieve overall yields close to 80% and a monomer (BHET) purity of around 99%.

August, 2024

Selenis participates in the LIFE POLITEX project, aimed 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.

In 2020, the global textile industry consumed approximately 93 billion m³ of water, generated 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions, released around 1 million tonnes of microfibres into the oceans, and was responsible for 92 million tonnes of waste, representing between 3% and 10% of the EU's environmental impact. Synthetic fibres currently account for 64% of global fibre production, with polyester holding 54% of the market.

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.

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 keysteps:

  1. Collection and Sorting: The project collects textile waste, including polyester-based materials, from various sources. Sorting ensures that only suitable material senter the recycling process.
  2. Mechanical Recycling: The collected waste undergoes mechanical recycling. This involves shredding and processing the waste to create recycled polyester (rPET) flakes.
  3. Chemical Depolymerization: The rPET flakes are further treated using chemical depolymerization. This process breaks down the polyester molecules into their monomers (such as ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid).
  4. Polymerization and Spinning: The recovered monomers are then polymerized to create new polyester. These polymers are spun into high-quality polyester fibres.
  5. Integration into Textile Production: The recycled polyester fibres are integrated into textile production, creating new fabrics, garments, and other textile products.
  6.  End-of-Life Recycling: At the end of their life cycle, these textile products can be collected and recycled again, closing the loop.

LIFE POLITEX aims to reduce or eliminate the number of polyester textiles currently landfilled or incinerated by implementing new PET recycling methodologies and processes to depolymerize PES textiles into their basic constituents or monomers (BHET), which can be used as secondary raw materials to produce new recycled PES filament yarns for textile applications. The project will also recycle yarn and polymer waste through mechanical, chemical recycling, or alternative applications such as fibres for nonwovens for internal use.

LIFE POLITEX will scale up and validate the complete chemical recycling process at an industrial scale, combining novel waste treatment processes with depolymerisation and polymerisation technologies, already demonstrated at the laboratory scale (batch reactor, 20L) from post-consumer textile waste. The project aims to achieve overall yields close to 80% and a monomer (BHET) purity of around 99%.

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Rationalising the use of energy and natural resources and act on the processes in order to optimise and reduceconsumption.

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Reducing the production of waste by increasing and promoting recycling and recovering material wheneverpossible.

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Ensuring that materials and procedures used don’t present any risk to the health of workers and to the environment.

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Making sure that the use of materials, resources and the incorporation of safe and innovative technologies promoteenvironmental protection and minimise the environmental impacts.

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Coaching and engaging employees to perform in a conscious and responsible manner, for the importance ofeveryone in guaranteeing product safety and for improving environmental performance.

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Implementing good practices in order to comply with applicable legislation and other requirements that will leadto the environmental preservation.

August, 2024

Selenis participates in the LIFE POLITEX project, aimed 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.

In 2020, the global textile industry consumed approximately 93 billion m³ of water, generated 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions, released around 1 million tonnes of microfibres into the oceans, and was responsible for 92 million tonnes of waste, representing between 3% and 10% of the EU's environmental impact. Synthetic fibres currently account for 64% of global fibre production, with polyester holding 54% of the market.

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.

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 keysteps:

  1. Collection and Sorting: The project collects textile waste, including polyester-based materials, from various sources. Sorting ensures that only suitable material senter the recycling process.
  2. Mechanical Recycling: The collected waste undergoes mechanical recycling. This involves shredding and processing the waste to create recycled polyester (rPET) flakes.
  3. Chemical Depolymerization: The rPET flakes are further treated using chemical depolymerization. This process breaks down the polyester molecules into their monomers (such as ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid).
  4. Polymerization and Spinning: The recovered monomers are then polymerized to create new polyester. These polymers are spun into high-quality polyester fibres.
  5. Integration into Textile Production: The recycled polyester fibres are integrated into textile production, creating new fabrics, garments, and other textile products.
  6.  End-of-Life Recycling: At the end of their life cycle, these textile products can be collected and recycled again, closing the loop.

LIFE POLITEX aims to reduce or eliminate the number of polyester textiles currently landfilled or incinerated by implementing new PET recycling methodologies and processes to depolymerize PES textiles into their basic constituents or monomers (BHET), which can be used as secondary raw materials to produce new recycled PES filament yarns for textile applications. The project will also recycle yarn and polymer waste through mechanical, chemical recycling, or alternative applications such as fibres for nonwovens for internal use.

LIFE POLITEX will scale up and validate the complete chemical recycling process at an industrial scale, combining novel waste treatment processes with depolymerisation and polymerisation technologies, already demonstrated at the laboratory scale (batch reactor, 20L) from post-consumer textile waste. The project aims to achieve overall yields close to 80% and a monomer (BHET) purity of around 99%.

August, 2024

Selenis participates in the LIFE POLITEX project, aimed 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.

In 2020, the global textile industry consumed approximately 93 billion m³ of water, generated 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions, released around 1 million tonnes of microfibres into the oceans, and was responsible for 92 million tonnes of waste, representing between 3% and 10% of the EU's environmental impact. Synthetic fibres currently account for 64% of global fibre production, with polyester holding 54% of the market.

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.

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 keysteps:

  1. Collection and Sorting: The project collects textile waste, including polyester-based materials, from various sources. Sorting ensures that only suitable material senter the recycling process.
  2. Mechanical Recycling: The collected waste undergoes mechanical recycling. This involves shredding and processing the waste to create recycled polyester (rPET) flakes.
  3. Chemical Depolymerization: The rPET flakes are further treated using chemical depolymerization. This process breaks down the polyester molecules into their monomers (such as ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid).
  4. Polymerization and Spinning: The recovered monomers are then polymerized to create new polyester. These polymers are spun into high-quality polyester fibres.
  5. Integration into Textile Production: The recycled polyester fibres are integrated into textile production, creating new fabrics, garments, and other textile products.
  6.  End-of-Life Recycling: At the end of their life cycle, these textile products can be collected and recycled again, closing the loop.

LIFE POLITEX aims to reduce or eliminate the number of polyester textiles currently landfilled or incinerated by implementing new PET recycling methodologies and processes to depolymerize PES textiles into their basic constituents or monomers (BHET), which can be used as secondary raw materials to produce new recycled PES filament yarns for textile applications. The project will also recycle yarn and polymer waste through mechanical, chemical recycling, or alternative applications such as fibres for nonwovens for internal use.

LIFE POLITEX will scale up and validate the complete chemical recycling process at an industrial scale, combining novel waste treatment processes with depolymerisation and polymerisation technologies, already demonstrated at the laboratory scale (batch reactor, 20L) from post-consumer textile waste. The project aims to achieve overall yields close to 80% and a monomer (BHET) purity of around 99%.

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In accordance with California Act Assembly Bill 906 and ASTM D7611/D7611M - Standard Practice for Coding Plastic Manufactured Articles for Resin Identification. Products comply with the compositional requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation and European Regulation 10/2011.

August, 2024

Selenis participates in the LIFE POLITEX project, aimed 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.

In 2020, the global textile industry consumed approximately 93 billion m³ of water, generated 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions, released around 1 million tonnes of microfibres into the oceans, and was responsible for 92 million tonnes of waste, representing between 3% and 10% of the EU's environmental impact. Synthetic fibres currently account for 64% of global fibre production, with polyester holding 54% of the market.

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.

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 keysteps:

  1. Collection and Sorting: The project collects textile waste, including polyester-based materials, from various sources. Sorting ensures that only suitable material senter the recycling process.
  2. Mechanical Recycling: The collected waste undergoes mechanical recycling. This involves shredding and processing the waste to create recycled polyester (rPET) flakes.
  3. Chemical Depolymerization: The rPET flakes are further treated using chemical depolymerization. This process breaks down the polyester molecules into their monomers (such as ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid).
  4. Polymerization and Spinning: The recovered monomers are then polymerized to create new polyester. These polymers are spun into high-quality polyester fibres.
  5. Integration into Textile Production: The recycled polyester fibres are integrated into textile production, creating new fabrics, garments, and other textile products.
  6.  End-of-Life Recycling: At the end of their life cycle, these textile products can be collected and recycled again, closing the loop.

LIFE POLITEX aims to reduce or eliminate the number of polyester textiles currently landfilled or incinerated by implementing new PET recycling methodologies and processes to depolymerize PES textiles into their basic constituents or monomers (BHET), which can be used as secondary raw materials to produce new recycled PES filament yarns for textile applications. The project will also recycle yarn and polymer waste through mechanical, chemical recycling, or alternative applications such as fibres for nonwovens for internal use.

LIFE POLITEX will scale up and validate the complete chemical recycling process at an industrial scale, combining novel waste treatment processes with depolymerisation and polymerisation technologies, already demonstrated at the laboratory scale (batch reactor, 20L) from post-consumer textile waste. The project aims to achieve overall yields close to 80% and a monomer (BHET) purity of around 99%.

August, 2024

Selenis participates in the LIFE POLITEX project, aimed 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.

In 2020, the global textile industry consumed approximately 93 billion m³ of water, generated 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions, released around 1 million tonnes of microfibres into the oceans, and was responsible for 92 million tonnes of waste, representing between 3% and 10% of the EU's environmental impact. Synthetic fibres currently account for 64% of global fibre production, with polyester holding 54% of the market.

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.

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 keysteps:

  1. Collection and Sorting: The project collects textile waste, including polyester-based materials, from various sources. Sorting ensures that only suitable material senter the recycling process.
  2. Mechanical Recycling: The collected waste undergoes mechanical recycling. This involves shredding and processing the waste to create recycled polyester (rPET) flakes.
  3. Chemical Depolymerization: The rPET flakes are further treated using chemical depolymerization. This process breaks down the polyester molecules into their monomers (such as ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid).
  4. Polymerization and Spinning: The recovered monomers are then polymerized to create new polyester. These polymers are spun into high-quality polyester fibres.
  5. Integration into Textile Production: The recycled polyester fibres are integrated into textile production, creating new fabrics, garments, and other textile products.
  6.  End-of-Life Recycling: At the end of their life cycle, these textile products can be collected and recycled again, closing the loop.

LIFE POLITEX aims to reduce or eliminate the number of polyester textiles currently landfilled or incinerated by implementing new PET recycling methodologies and processes to depolymerize PES textiles into their basic constituents or monomers (BHET), which can be used as secondary raw materials to produce new recycled PES filament yarns for textile applications. The project will also recycle yarn and polymer waste through mechanical, chemical recycling, or alternative applications such as fibres for nonwovens for internal use.

LIFE POLITEX will scale up and validate the complete chemical recycling process at an industrial scale, combining novel waste treatment processes with depolymerisation and polymerisation technologies, already demonstrated at the laboratory scale (batch reactor, 20L) from post-consumer textile waste. The project aims to achieve overall yields close to 80% and a monomer (BHET) purity of around 99%.

-

Reassure consumers & provide trust to end-users (B2C), increasing public interest in recyclability and recycled content

-

Demonstrate compliance with legislation (B2B) & verify claims via third-party assessments

-

Show transparency about recyclability and waste origin and source

-

Support corporate sustainability claims about recycled content and recyclability of plastics

August, 2024

Selenis participates in the LIFE POLITEX project, aimed 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.

In 2020, the global textile industry consumed approximately 93 billion m³ of water, generated 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions, released around 1 million tonnes of microfibres into the oceans, and was responsible for 92 million tonnes of waste, representing between 3% and 10% of the EU's environmental impact. Synthetic fibres currently account for 64% of global fibre production, with polyester holding 54% of the market.

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.

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 keysteps:

  1. Collection and Sorting: The project collects textile waste, including polyester-based materials, from various sources. Sorting ensures that only suitable material senter the recycling process.
  2. Mechanical Recycling: The collected waste undergoes mechanical recycling. This involves shredding and processing the waste to create recycled polyester (rPET) flakes.
  3. Chemical Depolymerization: The rPET flakes are further treated using chemical depolymerization. This process breaks down the polyester molecules into their monomers (such as ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid).
  4. Polymerization and Spinning: The recovered monomers are then polymerized to create new polyester. These polymers are spun into high-quality polyester fibres.
  5. Integration into Textile Production: The recycled polyester fibres are integrated into textile production, creating new fabrics, garments, and other textile products.
  6.  End-of-Life Recycling: At the end of their life cycle, these textile products can be collected and recycled again, closing the loop.

LIFE POLITEX aims to reduce or eliminate the number of polyester textiles currently landfilled or incinerated by implementing new PET recycling methodologies and processes to depolymerize PES textiles into their basic constituents or monomers (BHET), which can be used as secondary raw materials to produce new recycled PES filament yarns for textile applications. The project will also recycle yarn and polymer waste through mechanical, chemical recycling, or alternative applications such as fibres for nonwovens for internal use.

LIFE POLITEX will scale up and validate the complete chemical recycling process at an industrial scale, combining novel waste treatment processes with depolymerisation and polymerisation technologies, already demonstrated at the laboratory scale (batch reactor, 20L) from post-consumer textile waste. The project aims to achieve overall yields close to 80% and a monomer (BHET) purity of around 99%.

August, 2024

Selenis participates in the LIFE POLITEX project, aimed 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.

In 2020, the global textile industry consumed approximately 93 billion m³ of water, generated 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions, released around 1 million tonnes of microfibres into the oceans, and was responsible for 92 million tonnes of waste, representing between 3% and 10% of the EU's environmental impact. Synthetic fibres currently account for 64% of global fibre production, with polyester holding 54% of the market.

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.

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 keysteps:

  1. Collection and Sorting: The project collects textile waste, including polyester-based materials, from various sources. Sorting ensures that only suitable material senter the recycling process.
  2. Mechanical Recycling: The collected waste undergoes mechanical recycling. This involves shredding and processing the waste to create recycled polyester (rPET) flakes.
  3. Chemical Depolymerization: The rPET flakes are further treated using chemical depolymerization. This process breaks down the polyester molecules into their monomers (such as ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid).
  4. Polymerization and Spinning: The recovered monomers are then polymerized to create new polyester. These polymers are spun into high-quality polyester fibres.
  5. Integration into Textile Production: The recycled polyester fibres are integrated into textile production, creating new fabrics, garments, and other textile products.
  6.  End-of-Life Recycling: At the end of their life cycle, these textile products can be collected and recycled again, closing the loop.

LIFE POLITEX aims to reduce or eliminate the number of polyester textiles currently landfilled or incinerated by implementing new PET recycling methodologies and processes to depolymerize PES textiles into their basic constituents or monomers (BHET), which can be used as secondary raw materials to produce new recycled PES filament yarns for textile applications. The project will also recycle yarn and polymer waste through mechanical, chemical recycling, or alternative applications such as fibres for nonwovens for internal use.

LIFE POLITEX will scale up and validate the complete chemical recycling process at an industrial scale, combining novel waste treatment processes with depolymerisation and polymerisation technologies, already demonstrated at the laboratory scale (batch reactor, 20L) from post-consumer textile waste. The project aims to achieve overall yields close to 80% and a monomer (BHET) purity of around 99%.

-

Excellent chemical resistance

-

Good barrier properties

-

Exceptional clarity

-

High brightness

-

Design flexibility

-

Easy to process

-

Excellent decorative ability

-

Processing flexibility

-

Fast cycle times

-

High impact resistance

-

Heavy wall capacity

-

Ease of secondary operations

-

Free of BPA and additives

August, 2024

Selenis participates in the LIFE POLITEX project, aimed 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.

In 2020, the global textile industry consumed approximately 93 billion m³ of water, generated 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions, released around 1 million tonnes of microfibres into the oceans, and was responsible for 92 million tonnes of waste, representing between 3% and 10% of the EU's environmental impact. Synthetic fibres currently account for 64% of global fibre production, with polyester holding 54% of the market.

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.

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 keysteps:

  1. Collection and Sorting: The project collects textile waste, including polyester-based materials, from various sources. Sorting ensures that only suitable material senter the recycling process.
  2. Mechanical Recycling: The collected waste undergoes mechanical recycling. This involves shredding and processing the waste to create recycled polyester (rPET) flakes.
  3. Chemical Depolymerization: The rPET flakes are further treated using chemical depolymerization. This process breaks down the polyester molecules into their monomers (such as ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid).
  4. Polymerization and Spinning: The recovered monomers are then polymerized to create new polyester. These polymers are spun into high-quality polyester fibres.
  5. Integration into Textile Production: The recycled polyester fibres are integrated into textile production, creating new fabrics, garments, and other textile products.
  6.  End-of-Life Recycling: At the end of their life cycle, these textile products can be collected and recycled again, closing the loop.

LIFE POLITEX aims to reduce or eliminate the number of polyester textiles currently landfilled or incinerated by implementing new PET recycling methodologies and processes to depolymerize PES textiles into their basic constituents or monomers (BHET), which can be used as secondary raw materials to produce new recycled PES filament yarns for textile applications. The project will also recycle yarn and polymer waste through mechanical, chemical recycling, or alternative applications such as fibres for nonwovens for internal use.

LIFE POLITEX will scale up and validate the complete chemical recycling process at an industrial scale, combining novel waste treatment processes with depolymerisation and polymerisation technologies, already demonstrated at the laboratory scale (batch reactor, 20L) from post-consumer textile waste. The project aims to achieve overall yields close to 80% and a monomer (BHET) purity of around 99%.

August, 2024

Selenis participates in the LIFE POLITEX project, aimed 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.

In 2020, the global textile industry consumed approximately 93 billion m³ of water, generated 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions, released around 1 million tonnes of microfibres into the oceans, and was responsible for 92 million tonnes of waste, representing between 3% and 10% of the EU's environmental impact. Synthetic fibres currently account for 64% of global fibre production, with polyester holding 54% of the market.

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.

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 keysteps:

  1. Collection and Sorting: The project collects textile waste, including polyester-based materials, from various sources. Sorting ensures that only suitable material senter the recycling process.
  2. Mechanical Recycling: The collected waste undergoes mechanical recycling. This involves shredding and processing the waste to create recycled polyester (rPET) flakes.
  3. Chemical Depolymerization: The rPET flakes are further treated using chemical depolymerization. This process breaks down the polyester molecules into their monomers (such as ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid).
  4. Polymerization and Spinning: The recovered monomers are then polymerized to create new polyester. These polymers are spun into high-quality polyester fibres.
  5. Integration into Textile Production: The recycled polyester fibres are integrated into textile production, creating new fabrics, garments, and other textile products.
  6.  End-of-Life Recycling: At the end of their life cycle, these textile products can be collected and recycled again, closing the loop.

LIFE POLITEX aims to reduce or eliminate the number of polyester textiles currently landfilled or incinerated by implementing new PET recycling methodologies and processes to depolymerize PES textiles into their basic constituents or monomers (BHET), which can be used as secondary raw materials to produce new recycled PES filament yarns for textile applications. The project will also recycle yarn and polymer waste through mechanical, chemical recycling, or alternative applications such as fibres for nonwovens for internal use.

LIFE POLITEX will scale up and validate the complete chemical recycling process at an industrial scale, combining novel waste treatment processes with depolymerisation and polymerisation technologies, already demonstrated at the laboratory scale (batch reactor, 20L) from post-consumer textile waste. The project aims to achieve overall yields close to 80% and a monomer (BHET) purity of around 99%.

August, 2024

Selenis participates in the LIFE POLITEX project, aimed 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.

In 2020, the global textile industry consumed approximately 93 billion m³ of water, generated 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions, released around 1 million tonnes of microfibres into the oceans, and was responsible for 92 million tonnes of waste, representing between 3% and 10% of the EU's environmental impact. Synthetic fibres currently account for 64% of global fibre production, with polyester holding 54% of the market.

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.

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 keysteps:

  1. Collection and Sorting: The project collects textile waste, including polyester-based materials, from various sources. Sorting ensures that only suitable material senter the recycling process.
  2. Mechanical Recycling: The collected waste undergoes mechanical recycling. This involves shredding and processing the waste to create recycled polyester (rPET) flakes.
  3. Chemical Depolymerization: The rPET flakes are further treated using chemical depolymerization. This process breaks down the polyester molecules into their monomers (such as ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid).
  4. Polymerization and Spinning: The recovered monomers are then polymerized to create new polyester. These polymers are spun into high-quality polyester fibres.
  5. Integration into Textile Production: The recycled polyester fibres are integrated into textile production, creating new fabrics, garments, and other textile products.
  6.  End-of-Life Recycling: At the end of their life cycle, these textile products can be collected and recycled again, closing the loop.

LIFE POLITEX aims to reduce or eliminate the number of polyester textiles currently landfilled or incinerated by implementing new PET recycling methodologies and processes to depolymerize PES textiles into their basic constituents or monomers (BHET), which can be used as secondary raw materials to produce new recycled PES filament yarns for textile applications. The project will also recycle yarn and polymer waste through mechanical, chemical recycling, or alternative applications such as fibres for nonwovens for internal use.

LIFE POLITEX will scale up and validate the complete chemical recycling process at an industrial scale, combining novel waste treatment processes with depolymerisation and polymerisation technologies, already demonstrated at the laboratory scale (batch reactor, 20L) from post-consumer textile waste. The project aims to achieve overall yields close to 80% and a monomer (BHET) purity of around 99%.

1

The UPM life cycle assessment was carried out in accordance with ISO 14040 and based on cradle-to-gate systemboundary. As the biorefinery is currently in the process of being built, the LCA will be gradually updated with primary data.The study has been critically reviewed by an independent third party according to ISO 14044.

August, 2024

Selenis participates in the LIFE POLITEX project, aimed 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.

In 2020, the global textile industry consumed approximately 93 billion m³ of water, generated 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions, released around 1 million tonnes of microfibres into the oceans, and was responsible for 92 million tonnes of waste, representing between 3% and 10% of the EU's environmental impact. Synthetic fibres currently account for 64% of global fibre production, with polyester holding 54% of the market.

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.

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 keysteps:

  1. Collection and Sorting: The project collects textile waste, including polyester-based materials, from various sources. Sorting ensures that only suitable material senter the recycling process.
  2. Mechanical Recycling: The collected waste undergoes mechanical recycling. This involves shredding and processing the waste to create recycled polyester (rPET) flakes.
  3. Chemical Depolymerization: The rPET flakes are further treated using chemical depolymerization. This process breaks down the polyester molecules into their monomers (such as ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid).
  4. Polymerization and Spinning: The recovered monomers are then polymerized to create new polyester. These polymers are spun into high-quality polyester fibres.
  5. Integration into Textile Production: The recycled polyester fibres are integrated into textile production, creating new fabrics, garments, and other textile products.
  6.  End-of-Life Recycling: At the end of their life cycle, these textile products can be collected and recycled again, closing the loop.

LIFE POLITEX aims to reduce or eliminate the number of polyester textiles currently landfilled or incinerated by implementing new PET recycling methodologies and processes to depolymerize PES textiles into their basic constituents or monomers (BHET), which can be used as secondary raw materials to produce new recycled PES filament yarns for textile applications. The project will also recycle yarn and polymer waste through mechanical, chemical recycling, or alternative applications such as fibres for nonwovens for internal use.

LIFE POLITEX will scale up and validate the complete chemical recycling process at an industrial scale, combining novel waste treatment processes with depolymerisation and polymerisation technologies, already demonstrated at the laboratory scale (batch reactor, 20L) from post-consumer textile waste. The project aims to achieve overall yields close to 80% and a monomer (BHET) purity of around 99%.

August, 2024

Selenis participates in the LIFE POLITEX project, aimed 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.

In 2020, the global textile industry consumed approximately 93 billion m³ of water, generated 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions, released around 1 million tonnes of microfibres into the oceans, and was responsible for 92 million tonnes of waste, representing between 3% and 10% of the EU's environmental impact. Synthetic fibres currently account for 64% of global fibre production, with polyester holding 54% of the market.

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.

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 keysteps:

  1. Collection and Sorting: The project collects textile waste, including polyester-based materials, from various sources. Sorting ensures that only suitable material senter the recycling process.
  2. Mechanical Recycling: The collected waste undergoes mechanical recycling. This involves shredding and processing the waste to create recycled polyester (rPET) flakes.
  3. Chemical Depolymerization: The rPET flakes are further treated using chemical depolymerization. This process breaks down the polyester molecules into their monomers (such as ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid).
  4. Polymerization and Spinning: The recovered monomers are then polymerized to create new polyester. These polymers are spun into high-quality polyester fibres.
  5. Integration into Textile Production: The recycled polyester fibres are integrated into textile production, creating new fabrics, garments, and other textile products.
  6.  End-of-Life Recycling: At the end of their life cycle, these textile products can be collected and recycled again, closing the loop.

LIFE POLITEX aims to reduce or eliminate the number of polyester textiles currently landfilled or incinerated by implementing new PET recycling methodologies and processes to depolymerize PES textiles into their basic constituents or monomers (BHET), which can be used as secondary raw materials to produce new recycled PES filament yarns for textile applications. The project will also recycle yarn and polymer waste through mechanical, chemical recycling, or alternative applications such as fibres for nonwovens for internal use.

LIFE POLITEX will scale up and validate the complete chemical recycling process at an industrial scale, combining novel waste treatment processes with depolymerisation and polymerisation technologies, already demonstrated at the laboratory scale (batch reactor, 20L) from post-consumer textile waste. The project aims to achieve overall yields close to 80% and a monomer (BHET) purity of around 99%.

August, 2024

Selenis participates in the LIFE POLITEX project, aimed 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.

In 2020, the global textile industry consumed approximately 93 billion m³ of water, generated 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions, released around 1 million tonnes of microfibres into the oceans, and was responsible for 92 million tonnes of waste, representing between 3% and 10% of the EU's environmental impact. Synthetic fibres currently account for 64% of global fibre production, with polyester holding 54% of the market.

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.

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 keysteps:

  1. Collection and Sorting: The project collects textile waste, including polyester-based materials, from various sources. Sorting ensures that only suitable material senter the recycling process.
  2. Mechanical Recycling: The collected waste undergoes mechanical recycling. This involves shredding and processing the waste to create recycled polyester (rPET) flakes.
  3. Chemical Depolymerization: The rPET flakes are further treated using chemical depolymerization. This process breaks down the polyester molecules into their monomers (such as ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid).
  4. Polymerization and Spinning: The recovered monomers are then polymerized to create new polyester. These polymers are spun into high-quality polyester fibres.
  5. Integration into Textile Production: The recycled polyester fibres are integrated into textile production, creating new fabrics, garments, and other textile products.
  6.  End-of-Life Recycling: At the end of their life cycle, these textile products can be collected and recycled again, closing the loop.

LIFE POLITEX aims to reduce or eliminate the number of polyester textiles currently landfilled or incinerated by implementing new PET recycling methodologies and processes to depolymerize PES textiles into their basic constituents or monomers (BHET), which can be used as secondary raw materials to produce new recycled PES filament yarns for textile applications. The project will also recycle yarn and polymer waste through mechanical, chemical recycling, or alternative applications such as fibres for nonwovens for internal use.

LIFE POLITEX will scale up and validate the complete chemical recycling process at an industrial scale, combining novel waste treatment processes with depolymerisation and polymerisation technologies, already demonstrated at the laboratory scale (batch reactor, 20L) from post-consumer textile waste. The project aims to achieve overall yields close to 80% and a monomer (BHET) purity of around 99%.

August, 2024

Selenis participates in the LIFE POLITEX project, aimed 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.

In 2020, the global textile industry consumed approximately 93 billion m³ of water, generated 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions, released around 1 million tonnes of microfibres into the oceans, and was responsible for 92 million tonnes of waste, representing between 3% and 10% of the EU's environmental impact. Synthetic fibres currently account for 64% of global fibre production, with polyester holding 54% of the market.

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.

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 keysteps:

  1. Collection and Sorting: The project collects textile waste, including polyester-based materials, from various sources. Sorting ensures that only suitable material senter the recycling process.
  2. Mechanical Recycling: The collected waste undergoes mechanical recycling. This involves shredding and processing the waste to create recycled polyester (rPET) flakes.
  3. Chemical Depolymerization: The rPET flakes are further treated using chemical depolymerization. This process breaks down the polyester molecules into their monomers (such as ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid).
  4. Polymerization and Spinning: The recovered monomers are then polymerized to create new polyester. These polymers are spun into high-quality polyester fibres.
  5. Integration into Textile Production: The recycled polyester fibres are integrated into textile production, creating new fabrics, garments, and other textile products.
  6.  End-of-Life Recycling: At the end of their life cycle, these textile products can be collected and recycled again, closing the loop.

LIFE POLITEX aims to reduce or eliminate the number of polyester textiles currently landfilled or incinerated by implementing new PET recycling methodologies and processes to depolymerize PES textiles into their basic constituents or monomers (BHET), which can be used as secondary raw materials to produce new recycled PES filament yarns for textile applications. The project will also recycle yarn and polymer waste through mechanical, chemical recycling, or alternative applications such as fibres for nonwovens for internal use.

LIFE POLITEX will scale up and validate the complete chemical recycling process at an industrial scale, combining novel waste treatment processes with depolymerisation and polymerisation technologies, already demonstrated at the laboratory scale (batch reactor, 20L) from post-consumer textile waste. The project aims to achieve overall yields close to 80% and a monomer (BHET) purity of around 99%.

About Circ

Circ is on a mission to power the clean closet with patented technology that recycles global fashion waste back into textiles, over and over again. Circ is protecting our planet by reducing the need and demand for petroleum, trees, and other materials harvested from nature to manufacture clothes. Circ is building a truly circular economy for the fashion

industry. Headquartered in Danville, Virginia, a former epicenter of textile production in the United States, Circ is an Earthshot Prize Finalist, a Certified B Corporation revitalizing the future of material technology and manufacturing, and has been named in Fast Company’s list of World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2024. To learn more about Circ, visit www.circ.earth.

August, 2024

Selenis participates in the LIFE POLITEX project, aimed 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.

In 2020, the global textile industry consumed approximately 93 billion m³ of water, generated 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions, released around 1 million tonnes of microfibres into the oceans, and was responsible for 92 million tonnes of waste, representing between 3% and 10% of the EU's environmental impact. Synthetic fibres currently account for 64% of global fibre production, with polyester holding 54% of the market.

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.

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 keysteps:

  1. Collection and Sorting: The project collects textile waste, including polyester-based materials, from various sources. Sorting ensures that only suitable material senter the recycling process.
  2. Mechanical Recycling: The collected waste undergoes mechanical recycling. This involves shredding and processing the waste to create recycled polyester (rPET) flakes.
  3. Chemical Depolymerization: The rPET flakes are further treated using chemical depolymerization. This process breaks down the polyester molecules into their monomers (such as ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid).
  4. Polymerization and Spinning: The recovered monomers are then polymerized to create new polyester. These polymers are spun into high-quality polyester fibres.
  5. Integration into Textile Production: The recycled polyester fibres are integrated into textile production, creating new fabrics, garments, and other textile products.
  6.  End-of-Life Recycling: At the end of their life cycle, these textile products can be collected and recycled again, closing the loop.

LIFE POLITEX aims to reduce or eliminate the number of polyester textiles currently landfilled or incinerated by implementing new PET recycling methodologies and processes to depolymerize PES textiles into their basic constituents or monomers (BHET), which can be used as secondary raw materials to produce new recycled PES filament yarns for textile applications. The project will also recycle yarn and polymer waste through mechanical, chemical recycling, or alternative applications such as fibres for nonwovens for internal use.

LIFE POLITEX will scale up and validate the complete chemical recycling process at an industrial scale, combining novel waste treatment processes with depolymerisation and polymerisation technologies, already demonstrated at the laboratory scale (batch reactor, 20L) from post-consumer textile waste. The project aims to achieve overall yields close to 80% and a monomer (BHET) purity of around 99%.

101148221- LIFE23-ENV-ES-LIFE POLITEX

Co-funded by the European 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.

https://www.aitex.es/portfolio/life-politex-fibre-fibre-circularity-textil-secyor-through-novel-polyster-recycling-technologies/