According to Informationsdienst Wissenschaft (idw), the research was led scientifically by Hof University of Applied Sciences, where researchers developed mechanical recycling processes to make textile waste suitable for reuse. The project focused particularly on longer fibres suitable for higher-quality recycling, as chemical recycling was described as costly and unsuitable for the mixed-material waste streams addressed.
Germany’s RecyTube partners have concluded a two-and-a-half-year project on converting upholstery fabric production waste into reusable materials for circular textile supply chains.
The work produced materials with about two-thirds recycled content, reducing virgin input to around 33 per cent.
A prototype stool will undergo further optimisation, with production costs still to be reduced.
The partners also worked to keep material cycles clean and traceable. Leni Rohleder, sustainability manager said, “Our goal is to avoid adding any additives or other substances to the material mixtures.”
Design development was part of the project, with Paula Holzhauser, a graduate of Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle, helping create seating concepts using the newly developed materials.
Although RecyTube has officially ended, its partners plan to continue work on several developments.
The prototype stool is undergoing further optimisation, with production costs still needing to be reduced, while the project also highlighted the need for intermediate-scale testing options between small laboratory projects and large industrial trials.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk
