Circular economy and sustainability
RESEARCH INTO TEXTILE WASTE VALORISATION PROCESSES USING INJECTION
TEX2PLAST 2025
Motivation
This year the focus is on the automotive sector. Specifically, it is hoped that thermoplastic materials can be reinforced or loaded for the manufacture of vehicle parts or packaging for transporting parts using textile materials that are difficult to recover. These will be shredded in the mechanical recycling line of AITEX into various particle sizes, except those in powder format from the source. Particle size, morphology and homogeneity will be analyzed using techniques such as digital optical microscopy and SEM microscopy. This shredded waste will be pelletized, paying special attention to the effects that the particle size of the shredded material may have on this adaptation process. Finally, the pelletized waste will be incorporated directly into the plastic injection moulding process in combination with the selected thermoplastic matrix. For this purpose, a gravimetric mixer will be used to maintain the homogeneity of the mixture in the injector feed.
Objectives
The main objective of TEXPLAST 2 is the development of a circular economy model for textile materials that are difficult to recover, by introducing them into the automotive sector by means of plastic injection technology. To this end, the potential for using textile waste in short fiber format as reinforcement for thermoplastic matrices in the injection moulding process will be analyzed. The greatest challenge is the introduction of textile waste in a significant percentage in the thermoplastic matrix, if possible, avoiding the compounding stage in order to maintain a controlled product cost.
Value and competitive advantage
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Revalorizes difficult‑to‑recycle textile waste by incorporating it into industrial manufacturing processes.
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Reduces the use of virgin raw materials and the environmental footprint through circular‑economy solutions.
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Provides technically viable materials for sectors such as automotive and industrial packaging.
Obtained results
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Investigation and validation of a textile waste valorization process through pelletizing and thermoplastic injection technologies.
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Characterization of textile wastes with different compositions and evaluation of the influence of particle size on pelletizing performance.
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Development of formulations containing textile waste combined with thermoplastic matrices suitable for injection molding.
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Production of compounds with adequate mechanical properties for reusable industrial packaging and automotive components.
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Validation of compaction pelletizing as a less aggressive alternative compared to conventional compounding processes.
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Environmental assessment through life cycle analysis, confirming a reduced impact compared to virgin thermoplastic materials.
Grant number: IMAMCA/2025/6
Programme: Plan of non-economic activities 2025
Period of execution: January 2025 – December 2025
Status: Finished
More information: PLAN OF ACTION
Entity: IVACE
Project supported by the Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism of the Generalitat Valenciana, through IVACE.
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R&D AREAS
New high-performance functionalised materials
Circular economy and sustainability
Advanced manufacturing, smart textiles and digitalisation
High value-added solutions for strategic markets
RELATED PROJECTS
NEWS
AITEX is present at the Babykid FIMI fair at Feria Valencia from January 26 to 28, presenting tests and certifications for children’s products.
AITEX has attended the Cosmetorium fair in Barcelona once again on October to present its new products for the cosmetic sector.
AITEX has hosted the LIFE POLITEX workshop entitled “Closing the textile polyester cycle: challenges and opportunities”, based on promoting sustainable solutions for the management and recycling of textile materials.