Recycling and Degradation Pathways of Synthetic Textile Fibers such as Polyamide and Elastane

Abstract Synthetic textile production is a major contributor to global waste growth, a phenomenon exacerbated by population growth and increased consumption. Global fiber production is expected to reach 147 million tons by 2030. New insights into recycling solutions are being developed. For example,...

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Main Authors: Pilar Chavez‐Linares, Sandrine Hoppe, Isabelle Chevalot
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-04-01
Series:Global Challenges
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.202400163
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author Pilar Chavez‐Linares
Sandrine Hoppe
Isabelle Chevalot
author_facet Pilar Chavez‐Linares
Sandrine Hoppe
Isabelle Chevalot
author_sort Pilar Chavez‐Linares
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Synthetic textile production is a major contributor to global waste growth, a phenomenon exacerbated by population growth and increased consumption. Global fiber production is expected to reach 147 million tons by 2030. New insights into recycling solutions are being developed. For example, progress has been made in recycling fibers such as polyester, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), through the use of enzymes that can break specific bonds and return the material to its original state. However, this process must be carried out according to the nature of the polymer in question. In addition, the mixing of different synthetic fibers and the use of dyes make it difficult to develop a complete recycling process that separates the fibers and returns them to their original raw material. This review focuses on two types of fibers widely used in the textile industry, Nylon or polyamide (PA) and elastane (Spandex or Lycra), and explores the challenges and opportunities associated with their recycling.
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spelling doaj-art-a0c0be3ac0b6407f90b3b8761017e82f2025-08-20T02:27:46ZengWileyGlobal Challenges2056-66462025-04-0194n/an/a10.1002/gch2.202400163Recycling and Degradation Pathways of Synthetic Textile Fibers such as Polyamide and ElastanePilar Chavez‐Linares0Sandrine Hoppe1Isabelle Chevalot2Université de Lorraine CNRS LRGP Nancy F‐54000 FranceUniversité de Lorraine CNRS LRGP Nancy F‐54000 FranceUniversité de Lorraine CNRS LRGP Nancy F‐54000 FranceAbstract Synthetic textile production is a major contributor to global waste growth, a phenomenon exacerbated by population growth and increased consumption. Global fiber production is expected to reach 147 million tons by 2030. New insights into recycling solutions are being developed. For example, progress has been made in recycling fibers such as polyester, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), through the use of enzymes that can break specific bonds and return the material to its original state. However, this process must be carried out according to the nature of the polymer in question. In addition, the mixing of different synthetic fibers and the use of dyes make it difficult to develop a complete recycling process that separates the fibers and returns them to their original raw material. This review focuses on two types of fibers widely used in the textile industry, Nylon or polyamide (PA) and elastane (Spandex or Lycra), and explores the challenges and opportunities associated with their recycling.https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.202400163biotechnologychemical recyclingelastanepolyamidetextile fibersthermo‐mechanical recycling
spellingShingle Pilar Chavez‐Linares
Sandrine Hoppe
Isabelle Chevalot
Recycling and Degradation Pathways of Synthetic Textile Fibers such as Polyamide and Elastane
Global Challenges
biotechnology
chemical recycling
elastane
polyamide
textile fibers
thermo‐mechanical recycling
title Recycling and Degradation Pathways of Synthetic Textile Fibers such as Polyamide and Elastane
title_full Recycling and Degradation Pathways of Synthetic Textile Fibers such as Polyamide and Elastane
title_fullStr Recycling and Degradation Pathways of Synthetic Textile Fibers such as Polyamide and Elastane
title_full_unstemmed Recycling and Degradation Pathways of Synthetic Textile Fibers such as Polyamide and Elastane
title_short Recycling and Degradation Pathways of Synthetic Textile Fibers such as Polyamide and Elastane
title_sort recycling and degradation pathways of synthetic textile fibers such as polyamide and elastane
topic biotechnology
chemical recycling
elastane
polyamide
textile fibers
thermo‐mechanical recycling
url https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.202400163
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AT isabellechevalot recyclinganddegradationpathwaysofsynthetictextilefiberssuchaspolyamideandelastane