TexirC - Increasing textile recycling rates and promoting circularity
The textile industry has a major impact on the environment and human health through the production and disposal of textiles. In the European Union, the average person discards 11 kg of textiles each year, contributing to environmental pollution. The TexirC project aims to support Finnish companies in developing a more sustainable and circular textile industry.
The goal of the TexirC project is to increase textile recycling rates and promote circularity in the textile industry. By addressing the challenges associated with textile waste, such as complex material compositions and colorants, TexirC seeks to reduce environmental pollution and advance sustainable recycling practices.
Recycling rates for textiles are alarmingly low, with only 13% of textiles recycled in the EU in 2016, and a mere 1% recycling rate for post-consumer clothing and footwear. Textile waste is a pressing concern, occupying approximately 5% of landfill space in the EU and ranking as the second-largest water pollutant after agriculture.
However, there are several challenges associated with recycling textile waste. One big problem arises from the multimaterial nature of the textile products, as they are often made from different fiber and material blends. In the recycling process, separating and processing these distinct components from each other presents significant challenges. Many textiles are also treated with chemicals, like dyes and finishes, which complicates the recycling process further, and even can create environmental hazards if not properly managed. While there are some established methods for recycling textile fibers individually, we need more efficient and scalable methods for recycling blended textile fibers.
This project aims to develop efficient methods for textile waste analysis, fractionation, color stripping, and chemical recycling. Additionally, TexirC aims to develop advanced methods for recycling both synthetic and natural fibers, enabling the production of high-quality recycled fibers suitable for reuse in new textile products. The project also focuses on enhancing industry expertise and skills to support the adoption of these new recycling technologies.
The TexirC research project is funded by Business Finland, Aalto University and supported by two Veturi Ecosystems: Valmet's Beyond Circularity and Mirka's SHAPE. Several companies are partnering and cooperating in our project; Valmet, Mirka, Kemira, UPM, Lounais-Suomen Jätehuolto,and Rester.
Aalto Professors
Prof. Michael Hummel, Prof. Tapani Vuorinen, Prof. Tiina Nypelö, Prof. Monika Österberg, Prof. Jukka Niskanen, and Prof. Ali Tehrani