Elastane (EL), is a highly flexible synthetic fibre also known as Spandex or Lycra. Even though the EL production volume only accounts for about 1% of the total fibre market, the fibre is, in low concentrations, present in a large portion of our clothes. Even in very low concentrations of this fibre, recycling of textiles with EL is made considerably more difficult or even impossible. Today, the proportion of apparel containing elastane remains unknown. Furthermore, a rapid and reliable determination of the EL content in textiles (apart from a cumbersome ISO method) has only recently been presented and the separation of EL from garments is still in its infancy.

This webinar will introduce EL, the textile recycling contaminant, the challenges it poses and the possible opportunities that can arise towards the EU Green Deal goals. Current technologies will be presented and potential methods for a pre-stage to a recycling process will be evaluated. In this 1-hour webinar, the following will be addressed:

– The SCIRT Framework
– EL in textiles, why is it even used, and is it possible to replace it?
– Why is it such a big problem and why is it so complicated? (Melt extrusion, tearing lines)
– Recycling: accurate identification, EQT vs ISO
– Recycling methods ESP
– Challenges in recycling methods
– Opportunities: utilization of million tons of textile waste