One of AITEX’s research line, is focused on the recycling of thermoplastic textiles for their reintroduction into the textile industry value chain, through the development of MELTEX 2021 project. This return to the value chain is in two forms; on the one hand, obtaining recycled materials for melt spinning processes which can be turned back into textile products, and on the other, by obtaining materials whose properties make them ideal for other processes in the manufacture of auxiliary components for the textile industry.
Objetives
The main objective of MELTEX 2021 is to validate the applicability of recycled materials from thermoplastic textiles in new textile raw materials and products from related industries. This will foster inter-sectorial cooperation and create business opportunities in textile companies that create thermoplastic waste, either in their own production process or in other industrial areas related to textiles, although outside their daily activity.
The specific technical objectives of the project are focused on establishing recycling models for thermoplastic textile waste, which is currently destined for energy recovery. These possible recycling routes are aimed at generating business opportunities, both for the companies that create waste and for those that have the potential to implement the recycled materials developed in the value chain. To this end, research will focus on pre-industrial scale-up and modification of polymers to optimise their properties according to the manufacturing process and target product. Subsequently, final prototypes will be built and evaluated under strict criteria applicable to each product to validate their functionality in a real environment.
The lines of research to be developed are detailed below:
The wide range of target products for which the resulting recycled materials will be used includes monofilament extrusion of PP and PE for the manufacture of nets, multifilament extrusion of PET for the manufacture of blind tapes, injection moulding of vehicle interior components, voluminous hollow parts manufactured by rotational moulding, extrusion of film by casting and extrusion of profiles for fashion boutique furniture.
This project is funded by the Conselleria d’Economia Sostenible, Sectors Productius, Comerç i Treball de la Generalitat Valenciana, through IVACE, and is co funded by ERDF from the European Commission within the framework of the Operational Programme FEDER for the Comunitat Valenciana 2014-2020. (IMDEEA/2021/43)
