Recycled polyester from polyester/cotton textile waste – A combined green solvent and thermal analysis approach

Abstract

The recycling of PET/CO materials presents significant technical and logistical challenges, requiring the development of advanced recovery methods. A novel green solvent-based separation technology addresses these challenges by efficiently dissolving polyester while preserving cotton fibres, allowing their reintegration into conventional recycling processes. Additionally, the process ensures the purification of recovered PET, yielding a high-purity material suitable for regranulation and fibre spinning, thereby supporting sustainable textile recycling and circular economy initiatives. However, while advancing separation technology is crucial, ensuring the quality of the separated materials is equally essential for market acceptance. In this regard, thermal analysis plays a vital role in evaluating whether recycled materials meet performance standards, enabling their effective reintegration into manufacturing processes. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis of key thermal parameters, such as melting point and crystallinity, confirms that the recovered polyester exhibits minimal changes in thermal behavior compared to the original material, ensuring its suitability for reintegration into manufacturing processes, particularly for spinning recycled fibres