Prominent Chinese scientist speaks on petrochemical textiles recycling
Chinese Academy of Sciences member and dean of Donghua University’s School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhu Meifang (pictured, second from right), recently discussed the issue of recycling petrochemical textiles with reporters during the 2021 China-ASEAN International Cooperation Forum on the Petroleum and Chemical Industry.
Ms Zhu emphasised how the recycling process may seem simple to some, but stressed what she described as the indispensability of a targeted combination of government-level policies, enterprise-level investment and scientific research (at institution-level) to resolving issues surrounding petrochemical textile recycling, whether mechanical or chemical, in China.
The academic framed her argument in the context of China’s “dual carbon” goals. That is, the country’s commitment to reach peak carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. She underscored the significance of the petrochemical industry’s “green” development to achieving these targets.
Most notably, Ms Zhu told local media that the ultimate reuse and recycling of “all levels” of petrochemical products, including textiles, should be built into their initial design, with particular emphasis on moving towards the increasingly "green" usage, circulation and recycling of synthetic articles.
She especially highlighted the need for built-in and “convenient” molecular recycling. “Design the recycling process into the product, to better facilitate its reuse at a later stage,” the academic suggested via Chinese media.
Ms Zhu also did not shy away from the subject of resource consumption when recycling petrochemical textiles and other products. She called for more theoretical research and scientific recycling planning, so as to ensure greater use efficiency of petrochemical resources across the board.
Image: Wang Yu.
