Rittec has developed a recycling process called revolTEX®, to recycle polyester-containing textiles into monomers, which can then be turned into pure PET. Rittec can also recycle textiles with mixed compositions and filter out any material that is not based on PET. Commercially, recycling is efficient for textiles that contain at least 80% polyester.

We are currently facing major problems when it comes to the use of synthetic fibers in the fashion industry. The most commonly used synthetic fiber is polyester, which is, in most cases, made from virgin petroleum. Polyester is not biodegradable and needs hundreds of years to degrade in nature, while it is extremely harmful to ecosystems. Another problem is that polyester is often mixed with other materials, making it difficult to recycle without losing quality.

Through revolTEX® polyester-containing textiles that might end up in landfill, incineration, or nature can be recycled into a new raw material of high quality, namely PET. Also, recycled PET has a much better LCA compared to virgin PET made from petroleum. Besides, revolTEX® is able to filter out disturbing materials that are not polyester, like other fibers, dyes, or coatings. Nevertheless, further R&D is still needed, especially when it comes to disturbing materials like elastane or, for example, oil-soiled clothes.

The result of the recycling process is pure, high-quality PET that has the same properties as virgin PET made from petroleum. The recycled PET can even be used for packaging or products with food or water contact. Of course, PET can also be used to produce new polyester fibers and, therefore, new textiles.