Textile Waste Recycling by Biological Method
Overview
Recycling textile waste with a bioprocess that uses enzymatic hydrolysis to transform compositional materials into bio products.
Technical name of innovation
Textile Waste Recycling by Biological Method
Research completion
2022
Commercialisation opportunities
Technology licensing
Problem addressed
Piling or burning textile waste in landfill results in serious land, air, and water pollution. This project aims to upcycle textile waste not only into quality fibres for clothing industries, but also value-added products that can be used by other industries.
Innovation
- Recycling textile waste by enzymatic hydrolysis with ultrasound pre-treatment; enzymes used in the recycling method are cultivated on the textile waste itself
- Re-spinning polyester into reusable yarn
- Generating cellulosic powder which can then further processed to become soluble glucose
Key impact
- A biological method to recycle textile waste, thus reducing burden to landfill
- Benefitting a range of industries as the recycled materials can be further processed and apply in the production of a diverse line of bio-based products
Award
- Gold Medal in the 46th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva (2018)
Application
- Textile recycling
- Bio-based products manufacturing
Patent
- 15/886018
- 18836447.5
- 201880002908.2
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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