Innovative production of fibers from recycled polymers

Kristýna Bendová will be speaking at the AMIA industry association meeting on the topic of innovative textile production from recycled polymers using melt spinning technology. What are the main challenges? What materials can be used and can this technology compete with traditional materials? These are the questions we asked Kristýna Bendová in this article.

What are the main technological challenges in processing recycled polymers? And how is your method innovative?

Recycled polymer processing is currently one of the ways to achieve sustainable fibre production technology. It faces several technological challenges such as quality and purity of the feedstock, variability of fibre properties, material degradation, energy consumption and economic efficiency.

These challenges require constant innovation and investment. It is essential to achieve a more sustainable and efficient treatment of plastic waste

Our goal is to optimize process parameters such as melt temperature, extrusion speed and pressure so that the resulting fibers achieve excellent mechanical strength, optimal physical structure and thermal stability.

What fibres can be produced?

It is a relatively simple process that does not require the use of toxic solvents. This preparation method allows the production of a wide range of fibres with different properties, making it very versatile and suitable for many applications in the textile industry.

What polymer materials or plastics can be used in this way?

Thermoplastics are used for the production of fibres. These are materials that are shaped when heated and retain their new structure and form when cooled.

The best known thermoplastics include polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide and polyester, which together form the basis for a wide range of textile fibres.

The thermoplastics we use can be not only virgin but also recycled, which contributes to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly fibre production.

Can fibre production from recycled polymers compete with conventional materials in terms of price and performance?

Fibre production from recycled polymers can be cost and performance competitive with conventional materials.

Recycled polymers often cost less than new ones, and modern technologies allow the production of fibres with similar properties. Environmental benefits such as reduced waste and emissions make recycled fibres more attractive to consumers and producers. Legislation and support for sustainability also contribute to their competitiveness. With technological advances and support for sustainability, their position is expected to improve further in future years.

What impact will this technology have on the circular economy in the textile industry?

Melt recycling technology has the potential to significantly impact the circular economy in the textile industry.

Recycling polymers into new fibres reduces textile waste and the consumption of primary raw materials, thus saving natural resources and energy

In addition, recycling and softening technologies are contributing to a more sustainable textile industry, which is attractive to consumers and manufacturers seeking to minimise their environmental impact. In the future, manufacturers will be legislatively incentivised to use recycled materials and thus comply with the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology.

Thank you for the interview and we invite you to this year's meeting of the AMIA association, which will take place on April 28, 2025 and will focus on sustainability in companies.