Textile Recycling Technologies, Colouring and Finishing Methods

 
 

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Textile Recycling Technologies, Colouring and Finishing Methods | Le 
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2.1 Textile Fibres 
Global fibre production in 2016 was estimated to be 94.5 million tonnes, dominated by synthetic 
fibres (68.3%) –predominantly polyester (64%) estimated at 64.8 million tonnes, followed by 
cotton (22%), man-made cellulosics (6%), and animal-based fibres (1.5%- 80% wool, 20% down) 
(Figure 3).
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Synthetic fibres comprise production from organic compounds derived from non-
renewable sources (petroleum), and inorganic-based materials (ceramics and glass).
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 Natural fibres 
are derived from plants (cellulosics), animal proteins (wool, silk), or minerals (asbestos).
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 In this 
report, four major materials of focus identified based on the synthetics and naturals include: 
polyester, nylon, cotton, and wool.
Figure 3: Global fibre production in 2016. 
Reproduced from [18]. 

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Textile Recycling Technologies, Colouring and Finishing Methods | Le 
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2.2 Textile Waste
It was estimated that the total global apparel waste (83.5 million tonnes in 2015) was greater than 90% of total global fibre production 
(94.5 million tonnes in 2016).
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Textile waste streams comprise pre-consumer (or post-industrial) waste, and post-consumer waste. Pre-consumer waste includes 
materials arising from industrial and commercial processing of textiles or manufacturing of garments (scraps, excess inventory, damaged 
or defective materials, samples). Post-consumer waste includes end-use of products, such as recalled inventory, items returned or 
disposed of by the consumer. Figure 4 depicts general material and common chemical waste streams during apparel manufacturing and 
use. 
Figure 4: Material and chemical waste flows during apparel manufacturing and use.
 Modified and reproduced from [19,20]. 

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Textile Recycling Technologies, Colouring and Finishing Methods | Le 
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