Converting textile waste into value-added chemicals

What is it about?

This study seeks to address the growing problem of textile waste generated by the fashion industry: millions of tons of discarded clothes are dumped in to landfills each year, contributing to deepening environmental pollution and ecological crisis. In particular, textile waste from cotton-PET blended fabrics causes serious marine pollution problems such as microplastics. This study focuses on the conversion of these textile wastes into high value-added biosugar, bioethanol, and biochemical products through biological upcycling and bioprocessing such as enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation. The biorefining process proposed in this study not only provides a sustainable solution for the management of textile waste, but also contributes significantly to the circular economy.

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Photo by Waldemar on Unsplash

Photo by Waldemar on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Textile waste has become a significant environmental challenge worldwide, largely due to the rapid growth of the fashion industry and the rise of fast fashion, which leads to the mass production and quick disposal of textile products. Consequently, the textile industry is responsible for 6-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and contributes 20-35% of marine microplastics. In response, the European Union (EU) has strengthened regulations on the apparel industry, yet most recycled textile waste is still processed in a "material-to-material" manner, merely restoring the textiles to their physical form. This study proposes a technology that advances beyond simple recycling, converting textile waste into valuable materials through biological methods. By producing bio-based chemicals and biofuels from textile waste, this approach can create new markets and enhance corporate profitability. Additionally, it helps reduce environmental pollution, improve resource efficiency, maximize resource utilization, minimize waste, and promote circularity. In conclusion, the integrated biorefinery approach developed in this study, which produces value-added materials from textile waste through biological processes, offers significant economic, environmental, and technological benefits, establishing itself as an important pathway toward a sustainable future.

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