Decolourisation of Post-consumer PET by Non-Aqueous Solvent Medium (NASM)
Overview
An organic solvent-free method to remove dyes on synthetic textiles for further textile upcycling and reuse by Non-Aqueous Solvent Medium (NASM)
Technical name of innovation
Decolourisation of Post-consumer PET by Non-Aqueous Solvent Medium (NASM)
Research completion
2020
Commercialisation opportunities
Technology licensing
Problem addressed
Over 75 % of total fabrics are made of PET fibres. PET fibres of different colours cannot be easily mixed or woven together to form new textiles and therefore, are required to be decoloured before being reused to make new textiles.
Innovation
- Using green Non-Aqueous Solvent Medium (NASM), namely Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (ScCO2) to decolour PET. ScCO2 is CO2 in a state above its critical temperature and pressure
- The new method is free of organic solvent and eliminate use of bleach as in conventional textile decolourisation
Key impact
- Removal of disperse dyes from PET textiles materials
- Making recycled PET fibres ready for re-dyeing and re-weaving to form new textiles
- A more sustainable option over the use of virgin fibres in the clothing industry, minimising and upcycling textile wastes
Application
- Textile recycling
Patent
- PCT/CN2021/077629
- 17/249,212
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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