H&M Foundation funds research into blended textile recycling
08/09/2016
The HKRITA says there is currently no viable technology to separate, sort and recycle the most popular materials used in blended textiles (e.g. cotton and polyester). This means a large proportion of apparel made from blended materials end up in landfills.
“One of the theoretical successes so far is that because the fibres break down under different temperatures and pressures and react to enzymes differently, they self-separate,” said Edwin Keh Yee-man, who heads the institute.
The H&M Foundation is contributing €5.8 million to the project. The HKRITA will conduct the research and retain the rights and patents to any technology developed. The partnership plans to license any resulting technology to ensure it has maximum impact.
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