The chemical recycle of cotton

• Main Author: Alice Beyer Schuch
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica Celso Suckow da Fonseca 2016-08-01
• Series: Revista Produção e Desenvolvimento
• Subjects: chemical recycle; cellulose; regenerated fibres; high-quality textiles.
• Online Access: http://revistas.cefet-rj.br/index.php/producaoedesenvolvimento/article/view/155

The chemical recycle of cotton textiles and/or other cellulosic materials for the purpose of manufacturing regenerated high quality textiles fibres is a novel process. The objective of related research is based on the forecast of population growth, on resource scarcity predictions, and on the negative environmental impact of the textile industry. These facts lead the need of broadening the scope for long-term textile-to-textile recycle - as the mechanical recycle of natural fibres serve for limited number of cycles, still depends on input of virgin material, and offer a reduced-in-quality output. Critical analysis of scientific papers, relevant related reports, and personal interviews were the base of this study, which shows viable results in laboratorial scale of using low-quality cellulosic materials as input for the development of high-quality regenerated textile fibres though ecological chemical process. Nevertheless, to scale up and implement this innovative recycle method, other peripheral structures are requested, such as recover schemes or appropriate sort, for instance. Further researches should also be considered in regards to colours and impurities.