Textile Recycling Technologies, Colouring and Finishing Methods

triclocarban 
 
Nano silver 
Antimicrobial 
fabric treatments 
-Zinc oxide nanoparticles applied to Nylon 6, polyester, 
polypropylene textiles
154
-Nano chitosan particles applied to 100% cotton, viscose, polyester 
fabrics 
155
- Siloxane sulfopropylbetaine(SSPB) covalently bonded to cotton 
156
-Sol-gel based surface coatings demonstrated 
157
Commercial: Green Theme International HDF™, Microban 
ZPTech®, Noble Biomaterials, X-STATIC® 
Per- and poly-
fluorinated 
compounds 
Durable water 
repellency 
(DWR) 
-Silicon-based, hydrocarbons, dendritic/hyperbranched chemistry, 
wax-based repellents
150
 
-Sol-gel (Si-based) surface coatings demonstrated 
-PepWing (Taiwan) - Plasma treatment for water repellent finishing 
removal
158,159 
Commerical: HeiQ Eco Dry, Beyond Surface Technologies 
miDori®evoPel, OrganoTex®, Chemours Zelan™ R3, Green 
Theme International fluorine-free HDF™
Chlorinated 
cleaning solvents, 
alkali detergents 
Dry cleaning, 
spot cleaning, 
scouring 
-Enzyme based textile processing – may technologies available 
(developmental and commercial) 
Commercial: Dupont Primagreen® Ecoscour, Americos Textile 
Enzymes, novozyme textile enzymes 
Table 16: Examples of Finishing Chemicals of Concern and New Alternative Chemicals. 

---

Textile Recycling Technologies, Colouring and Finishing Methods | Le 
44 
4.2 Potential Problematic Chemicals in Textiles for Recycling
In general, the current surveys from literature and industry of potential substances that may impede 
recycling have not been well characterized or reported.
Hazardous or incompatible chemicals present in textile waste sent for recycling is thought to be 
less problematic for post-industrial (pre-consumer) waste, especially from known producers, given 
that information on composition and chemicals present may be readily available. In addition, risk 
of chemical contamination may be reduced at the sorting stage, in cases where finishing chemicals 
can be distinguished (i.e water repellent finishing).
28
 
During mechanical recycling, substances are thought to remain in the outgoing material produced, 
due to the low effects of the process on the molecular level.
28,160
Where chemical substances of 
concern may be present, this may continue to pose health and environmental issues during the use-
phase of the product.
In chemical recycling (such as depolymerization), a large proportion of chemical constituents in 
the textile material is expected to be eliminated by leaching, degradation, or related distillation and 
separation processes performed, therefore, the risk of hazardous substances carry-over to recycled 
product is low.
28,160,
While some substances may remain in the material, with limited 
understanding of the interaction of certain chemicals in recycling processes applied, it is speculated 
that technical issues may arise, such as decreased dyeability or the need for an additional 
purification process step.
28,160,161
Difficulties in removal of chemical finishing agents used for flame resistance, and water repellency 
have been cited as issues encountered during research-scale chemical recycling and processing of 
synthetic textiles.
162
It was found that cotton fabric containing ‘Easy care’ finishing had reduced 
solubility in solvent (NMMO) when the Lyocell recovery method was applied.
91
As a result, the 
chemical was removed by treating fabrics with acid-alkali solution prior to applying the Lyocell 
process.
92
 The chemical bond type from dye to fibres are thought to pose challenges during textile 
recovery and recycling; however, removal processes have been demonstrated for various dye 
classes. Colourants and other contaminants have been observed to coagulate, or form insoluble 
impurities, which have been problematic for during spinning processes in recycling systems.
93
 
Several chemical recycling methods surveyed cite pre-treatment steps in which dye and 
contaminants are removed. From chemical recycling technology providers surveyed (polyester, 
cotton, and polycotton blends), there have been no technical issues associated with dyes and 
chemicals present in pre and post-consumer textile materials and blends during processing.
138,140
  

---

Textile Recycling Technologies, Colouring and Finishing Methods | Le 
45 
Ostlund 
et al.
presented potential chemical substances and product types of concern, summarized 
in Table 17.
160