Decolourisation of PET from Post-Consumer Textiles
Overview
Removing colours from post-consumer textile wastes with PET fibres for further re-dyeing and re-weaving.
Technical name of innovation
Decolourisation of PET from Post-Consumer Textiles
Research completion
2021
Commercialisation opportunities
Technology licensing
Problem addressed
Cotton and polyester blended fabrics can be recycled through hydrothermal treatment. However, the PET fibres obtained from recycling retain most of its original colour after the hydrothermal treatment. PET fibres of different colours cannot be easily mixed or woven together to form new textiles. It is necessary to decolour the PET fibres before processing and re-dyeing.
Innovation
- Developing suitable materials as dye adsorbents for recycled PET fibres obtained from garment recycling
- Developing decolourisation systems, which are applicable to PET fibres and PET textile pieces
Key impact
- Making recycled PET fibres ready for re-dyeing and re-making into new textiles
- A more sustainable option over the use of virgin fibres in the clothing industry, minimising textile wastes
- Strengthening the demand for green recycling and contributing to the closed-loop recycling in textile industry
Award
- Silver Medal in the 47th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva (2019)
Application
- Textile recycling
Patent
- 16/519,036
- 19187598.8
- 201910136278.4
The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA)
Established in 2006, The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) is funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the HKSAR government, and hosted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
HKRITA has achieved research deliverables over the years around our research clusters targeting in sustainability, industry advancement and social benefits through our centre-owned research teams and laboratories as well as collaborations with industry partners and institutions.
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