Recimap seeks to find a new approach to the two widely used materials by introducing a technique to selectively separate cotton and polyester blends. Credit: Shutterstock

The Recimap project, in collaboration with Aimplas, a Spanish Plastics Technology Centre, the University of Valencia and the Valencia Interior V3 consortium was built in response to the issues of polyester and cotton textile waste that ends up being disposed of through incineration or landfilling due to the intricate blend of materials being hard to recycle.

Recimap seeks to find a new approach to the two widely used materials by introducing a technique to selectively separate cotton and polyester blends through synthesis and the use of ionic liquids, a more environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional solvents.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

The polyester fraction undergoes mechanochemical processes to yield recycled polyester, while the cotton fraction is channelled into lactic acid production through fermentation processes.

Belén Taroncher, a researcher in the chemical recycling group at Aimplas commented: “The Recimap Project makes a significant contribution to the circular economy, especially considering the increasing amount of textile waste expected in the coming years, partially due to European regulations on extended producer responsibility (EPR).

“This underscores the need to find effective solutions for this waste and provide opportunities for Valencian companies to improve their competitiveness”.

See Also:

Supported by funding from the European Union, the project has identified a new recycling approach that promises to yield recycled polyester with a substantially lower carbon footprint compared to virgin polyester.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Along with recovering complex textile waste and generating high-quality recycled materials the production of lactic acid is described as an essential component in the manufacture of polylactic acid (PLA).

Last week (14 February), US-based non-profit Accelerating Circularity also attempted to curb the disposal of textiles into landfills and incinerators by releasing the next phase of the Building Circular Systems (BCS) initiative which aimed to amplify the development of circular textile-to-textile systems and mitigate the industry’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.