Feasability study to consider fire retardancy in wool based fabrics using an innovative UV Laser and
Atmospheric Plasma surface modification. (FR-MLSE). The The project will:
• Benchmark current novel fire retardant treatments against industry and regulatory standards, including
REACH legislation with respect to current FR wool treatments.
• Test and evaluate the developed chemistries and related process parameters to understand the
relationship of substrate to treatment to performance characteristics
• Develop a roadmap for future treatment chemistries for other technical textile substrates.
Camira Fabrics produces textiles for use in the contract, healthcare and transport upholstery markets. To add functionality to the fabrics a range of finishes are applied to improve the technical performance of the fabrics. This project evaluates the use of the technique of multispectral imaging (MSI) to evaluate the level of chemical residue present following textile finishing. The suitability of the technology for textile inspection will be evaluated taking into account different textile substrates and dyes. The ultimate aim of this project is to build a fit-for-purpose model that can be used by Camira Fabrics to monitor the quality of the textile finishing process.
This is a pivotal time for UK fashion and textiles. It is essential that the sector strengthens its sustainable competitiveness, needing a fundamental change driven by industrial research and development. With the need to improve the impact of the sector on people and planet, the UK is competing on an international stage. But the prize for those who get there first is two-fold. The winner will enjoy the social and environmental benefits, but also the economic benefit of being a world leader in the provision of circular fashion and textiles.
Today, over 1 million tonnes of used textiles are generated annually in the UK. An estimated 1/3 are non-rewearable textiles (NRT) which are currently being lost through export, to be sorted in lower cost labour regions, or to landfill/incineration.
The **ACT project** is focused on a solution to overcome these challenges and on achieving Materials Circularity for NRT so they are collected, sorted and processed into feedstock for existing and emerging recycling processes, keeping these resources in circulation.
While Product Circularity is equally important, it's widely recognised that fibre to fibre (F2F) recycling is essential for Materials Circularity, replacing the use of virgin resources, and supporting the textile industry in reaching its climate positive targets. However, the used textile supply chain is not currently equipped to supply these facilities.
F2F recycling processes exist at different stages of industrialisation and will scale from 2025 onwards, with operating capacities reaching over 50,000 tonnes per annum, per plant. For the UK to benefit economically, environmentally and socially, **the used textiles supply chain is need of radical innovation and advancement.
The ACT project is not starting from scratch. Nascent variations of automated sorting approaches are coming to the market from around the globe, with most of the new innovations happening in Europe including in Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and Spain, among others. This project will innovate, combine and advance existing and new supporting technologies to overcome the current market failure by bringing together the most relevant optical sorting technologies, robotics, conveyance and pre-processing techniques into an industrial scale process with development of an Automated Textile Sorting and Pre-processing facility (**ATSP**), solely for NRT of all types.
In addition, the project will trial and integrate digital and circularity technologies and services which will be required by brands/retailers, including blockchain and transparency services, product passports and life cycle analyses for the ecosystem. The trials and learnings, from a circular systems perspective, will enable businesses to proactively prepare for new legislation. We envision the outcome from this project, and laying the foundations for a scaled ATSP facility, to unlock real commercial opportunities for all companies actively engaged in accelerating circular supply chains.
This project aims to reinvigorate the textile recycling sector by adapting traditional nonwoven recycling techniques for a new, high value application - furniture manufacture. If successfully commercialised this will tackle a priority waste stream (post consumer textiles) and create a closed loop furniture range designed for extended materials use. The project team will explore new furniture designs, develop prototypes, undertake market testing and explore innovative business models which will enage the consumer in end of life textiles collection. This responds to the following 4 opportunities: 1. large supply of raw materials (0.8M tonnes of textiles sent to landfill each year from households in the UK (WRAP), 2. Increasing interest in end of life textiles applications (e.g within the Sustainable Clothing Roadmap),3. an experienced textile reprocessing sector, and 4. increasing consumer interest in sustainable and UK manufactured furniture.