Motivation

The continuous increase in global textile production, together with consumption models based on fast fashion, has led to a significant rise in post-consumer waste. This scenario highlights the urgent need to move away from the linear “produce–use–discard” model and transition towards a circular system capable of valorizing complex materials such as polyamides, polyester, cotton, and their blends. The shift towards a more sustainable textile sector requires robust, efficient chemical recycling technologies that are compatible with heterogeneous materials derived from real textile waste.
AITEX has a solid track record in this field, particularly through previous CHEMUP projects, which have established technical and scientific foundations in the depolymerization of polyamides and polyesters, the dissolution and regeneration of cellulose using ionic liquids, and thermochemical processes applied to composites. The CHEMUP 2026 project is driven by the need to make a qualitative leap towards greener technologies by incorporating sustainable catalysts and bio-based solvents, advancing toward scalable processes with a lower environmental impact.