Textile Recycling Technologies, Colouring and Finishing Methods

Toray 
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(Japan) 
Nylon 6 
Post-industrial (from 
Toray Nylon 6 
production) and post-
consumer textile waste 
CYCLEAD® fibre 
and fabrics 
CYCLEAD™ process consists of 
chemical recovery of liquids, 
waste, and caprolactam from 
Nylon 6 production, and post-
consumer textiles, to produce 
recycled Nylon 6 products. 
Heating with cyclic amide 
compound solvent. Simultaneous 
colour removal is performed.
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3.3 Cotton 
3.3.1 Summary 
Cotton is the most widely produced natural textile fibre, owing to its strength, lightweight, and 
absorbency. The staple fibres grow around the cotton seed (as seed hairs), and range from 22 to 32 
mm in length, with longer fibres having higher quality. Cotton fibres contain 88-97% cellulose, 
with the remaining constituents which include waxes, proteins, and pectinic substances.
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Chemicals and water usage from both crop and textile production are associated with significant 
environmental pollution and impacts. 
Conventional cotton production from its cultivation to 
harvesting, requires the use of arable land, large amounts 
of water, and agrochemical resources (i.e. pesticides and 
fertilizers).
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There have been efforts towards more 
sustainable agricultural processes, which includes the 
transition to low-input organic management system cotton 
farms, that include sustainable practices which enable 
water and energy reduction, and sophisticated fertilizer 
usage.
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 Other combined efforts through partnerships with 
organizations including Better Cotton Initiative and 
Textile Exchange,
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also forms part of the Preferred 
Cotton Fibre Production Segment (Figure 14) in the 
apparel industry. 
The textile production process from cotton fibres to fabrics 
for garments requires the extensive use of chemicals and 
energy to reduce the level of natural impurities found in 
the fibre, improve dye and finishing chemical uptake, and 
impart functional properties to the final fabric (i.e. high 
absorbency and hydrophilic properties).
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 The basic steps 
are outlined in Figure 15. 
Figure 15: Cotton textile production steps from fibres to garments.
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Figure 14: Cotton global fibre production.
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