5R Solutions for a Circular Textile Economy
The DITF are part of the SOLSTICE project funded by the European Union since May 2024. The project addresses important social and technical challenges in the textile industry. In four European regions – Grenoble in France, Berlin in Germany, Prato in Italy and Catalonia in Spain – the project actively demonstrates the implementation of climate-neutral practices and the transition to a circular economy specifically for the textile sector.
SOLSTICE is based on a holistic approach that encompasses all phases of waste prevention and management and is guided by a 5R strategy: Refuse/Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Repurpose and Recycle and are carrying out a life cycle assessment of the four polymer recycling processes under consideration as well as a technical and economic evaluation for these processes. The focus of the scientific and technical work at the DITF is on polyamides, particularly aramids. These are used in flame-retardant protective textiles. The aim is to develop a solvent based recycling process to recover high-quality aramids from pre- and post-consumer material. So-called ‘green solvents’ are the main focus as solvents. Current work shows that it is possible to separate meta- and para-aramid using selected solvents. The meta-aramid content can be extracted from the textiles without polymer degradation. The rheological profile of the meta-aramid solutions allows the production of easily processable spinning solutions.
Meta-aramid fibers regenerated by coagulation in an aqueous medium can be produced using a wet spinning process. The process stability and the resulting mechanical properties of the fibers exceed expectations. The new technology is now being advanced in collaboration with an industrial partner to develop demonstrators. On the other hand, the DITF are leading the work package for integration and sustainability assessments. Three competence centers and the Center of Management Research at the DITF are involved in the project.
