Abstract
Executive summary
Résumé
1. Background
2. Goal of the project
3. Technical analysis – Mapping of textile recycling activities and technologies
3.1. Mapping of the recycling technologies
3.2. Mechanical recycling process
3.2.1. Definition according to DRAFT DIS 5157
3.2.2. Input
3.2.3. Process steps
3.2.4. Output
3.2.5. Advantages vs disadvantages
3.2.6. Status & prognosis
3.2.7. Technology holders
3.3. Thermal recycling process
3.3.1. Definition according to draft DIS 5157
3.3.2. Thermo-mechanical recycling
3.3.2.1. Input
3.3.2.2. Process steps
3.3.2.3. Output
3.3.2.4. Advantages vs disadvantages
3.3.2.5. Status & prognosis
3.3.3. Thermo-chemical recycling
3.3.3.1. Input
3.3.3.4. Advantages vs disadvantages
3.3.4. Technology holders
3.4. Chemical recycling process
3.4.1. Definition according to draft DIS 5157
3.4.2. Polymer recycling of cotton via a pulping process
3.4.2.1. Input
3.4.2.2. Process steps
3.4.2.3. Output
3.4.3. Monomer recycling of PA6 and PET
3.4.3.1. Input
3.4.3.2. Process steps
3.4.3.3. Output
3.4.4. Recycling of polycotton blends
3.4.4.1. Input
3.4.4.2. Process steps
3.4.4.3. Output
3.4.5. Advantages vs disadvantages of chemical recycling
3.4.6. Technology holders
3.5. Facilitating technologies
3.5.1. Automated sorting
3.5.2. Facilitated disintegration of a textile product
4. Analysis of the economic and environmental aspects of the textile recycling technologies
4.1. Assessment methodology
4.1.1. Quality and quantity of the output product
4.1.2. Use of chemical substances, energy and water
4.1.3. Process cost
4.2. Evaluation per input stream
4.2.1. Cotton
4.2.2. Polycotton
4.2.3. Polyester
4.2.4. Polyamide
4.3. Impact on climate change calculated by means of life cycle assessment (LCA)
4.3.1. Recycling of cotton
4.3.2. Recycling of polycotton
4.3.3. Recycling of polyester
4.3.4. Recycling of polyamide
4.4. A wider economic perspective
5. Recommendations for potential supporting initiatives and definition of roadmap
5.1. Mapping of needs and underlying barriers
5.2. Potential supporting initiatives
5.2.1. Further development of advanced sorting technologies
5.2.2. Development of sorting and recycling hubs
5.2.3. Implementation of eco-design principles and further development of disintegration techniques
5.2.4. Development of an alternative for elastane
5.2.5. Development and implementation of fibre- and product traceability technologies
5.2.6. Further research into dispersion and recovery of chemical substances
5.2.7. Support (cross-)value chain collaboration
5.2.8. Create market pull from consumers to drive the industry
5.2.9. Financial support for scale-up technologies
5.3. Roadmap
6. Analysis of regulatory framework and identification of policy solutions to foster textile recycling
6.1. Why analysing regulatory barriers and policy support options?
6.2. Methods
6.3. Challenges to textile fibre recycling and analysis of relevant EU regulatory framework
6.3.1. Key EU policy strategies pointing the way to the future of the textile sector
6.3.2. Identified regulatory barriers and gaps in legislation
6.4. Policy solutions to foster textile fibre recycling
6.4.1. Increasing traceability of materials and chemicals used in textiles
6.4.2 Promoting design for recyclability by introducing minimum design requirements
6.4.3. Easing trade in textile wastes to foster preparation for re-use and high-value recycling
6.4.4. Stimulating demand for recycled fibres
6.4.5. Setting the frame and activating businesses
6.5 Synthesis of policy options to advance textile-to-textile recycling
References
List of abbreviations
List of Figures
List of Tables
A. Annex 1: Life Cycle Assessments
A.1 Methodology for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
A.1.1 Goals and scope
A.1.2 Functional unit
A.1.3 System boundaries
A.1.4 Types of impact and methodology of impact assessment for LCA
A.2 Methodology Life Cycle Costing (LCC)
A.3 Life cycle inventory (LCI)
A.3.1 Life cycle inventory mechanical recycling cotton
A.3.2 Life cycle inventory polymer recycling cotton
A.3.3 Life cycle inventory mechanical recycling polycotton
A.3.4 Life cycle inventory enzymatic recycling polycotton (50/50)
A.3.5 Life cycle inventory mechanical recycling polyester
A.3.6 Life cycle inventory mechanical recycling polyamide
A.4 Results life cycle impact assessment
A.4.1 Results life cycle assessment mechanical recycling cotton
A.4.2 Results life cycle assessment polymer recycling cotton via pulping
A.4.3 Results life cycle assessment mechanical recycling polycotton
A.4.4 Results life cycle assessment enzymatic recycling polycotton
A.4.5 Results life cycle assessment mechanical recycling polyester
A.4.6 Results life cycle assessment mechanical recycling polyamide
B Annex 2: Expert interview questionnaire – guiding questions