How NIST is standardising fibre identification
The material is called Research Grade Test Material (RGTM) *****, “Textiles for Feedstock Identification.” It is a set of five four-inch fabric squares of different fibres, dyed and undyed, with composition deliberately kept secret. Recyclers, labs and brands can run their scanners on the squares and check whether readings match what NIST knows is inside. It is voluntary and free until July **, ****.
NIST engineer Amanda Forster said the material “will help validate sorting methods and make textile sorters’ measurements comparable from one centre to another.” NIST notes it can also “detect things that are not reported on the label” for example, a fabric marketed as “***% cotton” that actually contains other fibres. NIST researchers estimate that ** per cent of textiles can be recycled or recovered, but most do not re-enter the domestic supply chain. RGTM ***** is the shared yardstick that makes those estimates measurable.
The verification paradox
