The textile sector generates large volumes of waste, a challenge that becomes more relevant with the implementation of stricter European requirements for textile waste management. Many of these residues are difficult to recycle through conventional technologies, particularly when they are physically degraded or composed of complex fibre blends derived from ultra-fast fashion production models.
This has created the need for more flexible valorisation routes capable of treating heterogeneous textile waste, as well as wet residues such as sludge from textile wastewater treatment plants.
To address this need, AITEX developed thermochemical processes to transform textile and biomass waste into high-value products, supporting circular economy strategies and helping reduce the carbon footprint of the textile and related industrial sectors.
The technology is based on the optimisation of thermochemical processes, including gasification, pyrolysis and hydrothermal treatment, to valorise textile and biomass waste streams. These process makes it possible to treat heterogeneous and complex residues that were difficult to recycle through conventional mechanical or chemical routes.
Gasification and pyrolysis has enabled the treatment of pre- and post-consumer textile waste to obtain energy vectors and high-value products, such as chemical precursors, fibre-related compounds, aromas or synthetic fuels derived from pyrolysis oils.
Hydrothermal treatment is particularly suitable for residues with high moisture content, such as sludge from textile wastewater treatment plants. This route has enabled the production of biochars and bio-oils for the development of new materials or chemical products of industrial interest.
The processes were developed and optimized by AITEX within the WASTE2CHEMVALUES 2024 project. The work focused on adapting gasification, pyrolysis and hydrothermal treatment to different textile and biomass waste streams in order to obtain higher-value products for industrial applications.
Benefits:
- Valorisation of textile and biomass waste.
- Treatment of complex and heterogeneous residues.
- Suitable for pre- and post-consumer textile waste.
- Use of wet residues through hydrothermal treatment.
- Production of bio-oils, biochars and chemical intermediates.
- Support for circular economy and carbon footprint reduction.
The represented institution is looking for a collaboration that leads to commercial exploitation of the presented invention.
Institution: AITEX
TRL: 4
Protection Status: Know-how
Financing: IVACE – Plan de Actividades de Carácter no Económico 2024
Contact: Begoña Iborra | biborra@viromii.com