Working to convert end-of-life polyester textiles into polyurethane in a sustainable way, reducing the environmental impact of fast fashion and producing insulation to improve the energy efficiency of homes.
The Sustainable Communities Challenge gives academic research teams a unique opportunity to contribute to Ireland’s transition to an environmentally sustainable and climate-neutral economy.
Within the EU, it is estimated that 5.8 million tonnes of textiles are discarded each year, with 74% of those post-consumer ‘waste’ textiles ending up in landfill or incineration.
Likewise, the insulation industry in Ireland is seeing a steady increase in demand for insulation materials that can be manufactured in a more sustainable way.
The PUreTex team have identified three key, inter-linked problems that must be addressed:
of textiles are discarded each year
ending up in landfill or incineration
Chemical recycling of polymers, including polyester, allows for the complete recovery of high value molecules, which can be used to make a wide range of materials.
The PUreTEx project will investigate the chemical recycling of polyester waste textiles to produce the starting materials which can be modified and used in the synthesis of rigid foams, which will be suitable for use as insulation for buildings.
While mechanical recycling of polyester is a well understood process, chemical recycling to produce high yield and high purity materials which can be used in insulation production has not yet been developed.
The PUreTex team will play a pivotal role in connecting the dots between scientists, the public, the textile waste industry, the insulation industry, community leaders and policy makers, to enact transformative change around the sustainable use and management of textiles in Ireland.
If you want to collaborate, consult with us, or have an idea for our project, please contact us.