StraTex ‐ Sorting and processing strategies for used textiles to produce recyclable fractions

In StraTex, suitable, economically viable and holistic strategies for the collection, processing and automated sorting of mixed non‐reusable textiles are being developed and experimentally implemented in order to increase the proportion of marketable fractions for high‐quality material recycling (preferably fibre2fibre).

Short Description

Starting point/motivation

Textiles are part of our everyday lives, although "fast fashion" massively promotes the (over)consumption of textiles and thus also the production of textiles due to low prices. In recent decades, the textile industry has become the fourth most environmentally damaging sector in the EU. The garments currently on the market are not even worn for half as long as they were 15 years ago, resulting in high quantities of textile waste (13.4 kg/person and year), which will continue to increase for various reasons (including saturation of the second‐hand market, export restrictions). In Austria, 4% was recycled in 2020, 90% was incinerated, 2% was prepared for reuse and 4% was sent to landfill. According to the EU Commission's vision, a large proportion of textiles placed on the market should consist of recycled fibres in the future; currently, only 1% of clothing textiles are used to make clothing again.

Contents and goals

StraTex pursues the overarching goal of developing and experimentally implementing suitable, economically viable and holistic strategies for the collection, processing and automated sorting of mixed non‐reusable textiles in order to increase the proportion of marketable fractions for high‐quality material recycling (preferably fibre2fibre) and to contribute to a more sustainable use of textiles and to contribute to sustainability goals.

Methodological approach

StraTex begins with comprehensive research into the needs and requirements of the textile recycling industry. This is because the feasibility, efficiency and cost‐effectiveness of chemical, physical or (thermo‐)mechanical recycling processes depend heavily on the purity of the input material. The recycling industry defines the material compositions to be achieved and the type and maximum number of impurities that are tolerated in the recycling process. However, the challenges in textile recycling are great, as textiles often have several layers, different fabric blends or applications (e.g. functional or decorative accessories). As part of StraTex, the textiles collected in completely different ways are treated at three different processing levels (whole textiles, shredded textiles and defibred textiles) and fractions with predefined properties in terms of composition and impurities are created by combining different processing and sorting technologies. Particular attention is paid to different and in some cases new sensor technologies. The influences of textile finishing on detection using sensor‐based sorting will also be analysed.
The demonstration will take place within the framework of several use cases that cover the challenges in the field of textiles in different ways.

Expected results

A catalogue of measures for future textile collection will be developed so that collection is aligned as far as possible with subsequent sorting, processing and recycling.
Automated textile sorting and processing technologies for textiles will be further developed and solutions for the challenges in textile sorting and processing will be developed.
Holistic strategies that enable fibre2fibre recycling are being developed.
Based on the experience gained in the experimental test series, recommendations for action regarding "reuse", "sustainable product design" and "finishing of textiles" will also be derived for stakeholders in textile production.

Project Partners

Project management

Alexia Tischberger‐Aldrian - Montanuniversität Leoben, Lehrstuhl für Abfallverwertungstechnik und Abfallwirtschaft

Contact Address

Alexia Tischberger‐Aldrian
Franz Josef Straße 18, 8700 Leoben
Phone: +43 (0) 3842/402‐5116
E-Mail: alexia.tischberger‐aldrian@unileoben.ac.at
www.avaw‐unileoben.at