Rewin successfully extracts polyester from complex fiber blend

Rewin's latest advancement in textile recycling technology builds on their already established expertise in recovering polyester from mixed-material textiles. This time they have reached new heights by successfully solving an even more complex challenge, recovering polyester from a three-fiber blend containing the notoriously difficult-to-handle antistatic fibers.

Wargön Innovation is a project partner with Rewin in the creation of a production demonstrator for large-scale polyester recycling. Within the project, many tests are ongoing and the successes that have now been made show that Rewin has already laid a solid foundation for the technology that is planned to be used in the upcoming pilot plant.

- These results are very promising and show the potential of Rewin's technology. Being able to handle complex fiber mixtures is crucial to scale up textile recycling and meet the industry's need for sustainable solutions. This is an important step towards a more circular textile industry," says Joel Arnoldsson, Innovation Manager at Wargön Innovation.

The current test was made possible with materials from Elis, a leading player in the rental and maintenance of professional textiles. They have long been at the forefront of sustainable practices in the textile industry.

- At Elis, we are constantly looking for innovative ways to reduce our environmental impact and extend the life cycle of our products. This advancement has the potential to revolutionize the way we handle textiles that have reached the end of their life cycle, by enabling the recycling of materials previously considered too complex. This can help us close the loop in our textile life cycle," said Linda Nilsson, Marketing Manager at Elis.

Overcoming the challenge of anti-static fibers

The tested material consists of 48% polyester, 48% cotton and 4% antistatic fibers. Successfully recycling polyester from such a mixture is particularly remarkable because antistatic fibers have long been a major obstacle in textile recycling processes due to their unique properties and low concentration in blends.

- Antistatic fibers, which are important in some workwear applications, have historically been challenging for recyclers. Their special chemical properties and low percentage in the overall textile composition make them difficult to isolate and process. Our ability to handle this complex mixture demonstrates an important technological advance in textile recycling," says Anders Arkell, CTO at Rewin.

An important step in textile recycling

By finding solutions to the challenge of mixed materials, including those with anti-static properties, Rewin and the joint project to set up a pilot plant are taking a major step towards fully functional textile recycling.

- "For us at Wargön Innovation, it is important to support innovations that have great potential to enable a circular and sustainable textile industry. This progress brings us closer to a future where textile resources can be reused efficiently and sustainably, addressing one of the major challenges in creating a truly circular economy for textiles," says Joel Arnoldsson.

The development opens up new possibilities for recycling industrial and specialized textiles, including professional uniforms and protective clothing that often contain anti-static fibres. The technology expands the range of recyclable textiles and paves the way for a more sustainable and resource-efficient textile industry.

Here you can read more about Wargön Innovation's joint project with Rewin and the production demonstrator for a large-scale polyether recycling.