Today's textiles are made of natural fibres (often wool or cotton) or synthetic fibres (for example polyester). These raw materials can technically only be recycled with a great loss of quality. In addition, the production of raw materials often has negative ecological effects. Researchers at Empa St. Gallen will therefore be carrying out projects over the next few years with the financial support of Swiss Textiles, with the aim of developing new processes to enable the production of fully recyclable fibers. These should be able to be kept endlessly in circulation without loss of quality. Because lower temperatures are used than in the spinning processes known today, numerous natural and renewable biopolymers can now be used as raw materials.
Prof. Dr. René Rossi | Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles | Empa St. Galle
Nina Bachmannn | Technology and Environment |Swiss Textiles