Monomer Recycling and Repolymerization of Post‐Consumer Polyester Textiles

Abstract Due to the presence of dyes and additives, textile recycling is challenging, therefore the majority of textile waste is downcycled to low‐value products, incinerated or landfilled. In this study, a continuous depolymerization of post‐consumer polyester textiles was conducted by alkaline hydrolysis. The degree of depolymerization was assessed and found to be 94 %. After recovering and analyzing the terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol the monomers were successfully polymerized to regain a food grade quality recycled polyethylene terephthalate. The presented recycling approach allows a closed‐loop recycling of textiles.