Avantium Develops Breakthrough Solution For Polycotton Textile Waste Recycling
Dutch company Avantium N.V., a leader in renewable and circular polymer materials, has developed a patented solution for recycling polycotton textile waste, addressing one of the biggest challenges in textile recycling.
Avantium’s innovative technology uses hydrochloric acid to break down the cotton component of polycotton fabric into glucose, while leaving the polyester intact. This process enables complete fibre-to-fibre recycling, allowing polyester to be fully recycled, while the cotton-derived glucose can be repurposed as a feedstock for industrial applications.
Trials at Avantium’s Dawn pilot plant have demonstrated high glucose yields from polycotton waste, proving the scalability and cost-effectiveness of the method. This marks a major breakthrough, as it is the first viable process to effectively recycle both polyester and cotton fractions with high efficiency.
With global textile production projected to reach 149 million tonnes by 2030, yet less than 1% of textiles currently being recycled, Avantium’s technology offers a sustainable solution for a circular and low-carbon textile industry. The development also aligns with new regulations that hold textile producers accountable for waste management, reinforcing the industry’s shift towards responsible and sustainable production.
