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  • Regenerative textiles: A framework for future materials circularity in the textile value chain

Ribul, Miriam, 2021, Journal Article, Regenerative textiles: A framework for future materials circularity in the textile value chain Sustainability, 13 (24). pp. 1-17. ISSN 2071-1050

Abstract or Description:

Materials science breakthroughs have regenerated high value fibres from end-of-life cellulose-based textiles that can be introduced into existing textile fabrication processes from raw material to textile product in established textile value chains. Scientific developments with regenerated cellulose fibres obtained from waste textiles suggest their potential to replace virgin resources. The current scale-up of regeneration technologies for end-of-life cellulose-based textiles towards pilot and commercial scales can potentially achieve a future materials circularity, but there is a lack of a long-term view of the properties of materials after consecutive recycling stages take place. Cellulose-based materials cannot be infinitely recycled and maintain the same quality, a factor which may provide new challenges for future textile processes in the context of the circular bioeconomy. This paper maps collaborative design and materials science projects that use regenerated cellulose obtained from waste feedstock according to materials in the value chain they seek to substitute. It also presents four new processes that use regenerated cellulose materials in relation to their intervention in the value chain (as determined in a PhD investigation). A framework is presented to demonstrate how these circular material design processes take place at earlier stages of the textile value chain after subsequent regeneration stages.

Official URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/24/13910
Subjects: Other > Technologies > J400 Polymers and Textiles > J420 Textiles Technology > J421 Textile Chemistry
Other > Technologies > J400 Polymers and Textiles > J490 Polymers and Textiles not elsewhere classified
Creative Arts and Design > W200 Design studies > W230 Clothing/Fashion Design > W231 Textile Design
School or Centre: Research Centres > Material Science Research Centre
Funders: London Doctoral Design Centre (LDoc) - AHRC
Identification Number or DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413910
Uncontrolled Keywords: textile value chain; textile processes; interdisciplinary collaboration; materials circularity; circular economy; regenerated cellulose
Date Deposited: 17 Jan 2022 18:08
Last Modified: 17 Jan 2022 18:08
URI: https://researchonline.rca.ac.uk/id/eprint/4958
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