Chemical Recycling of a Textile Blend from Polyester and Viscose, Part I: Process Description, Characterization, and Utilization of the Recycled Cellulose

Material recycling requires solutions that are technically, as well economically and ecologically, viable. In this work, the technical feasibility to separate textile blends of viscose polyester using alkaline hydrolysis is demonstrated. Polyester depolymerized into monomer terephthalic acid at high yields, while recovered in a polymeric form. After treatment, intrinsic viscosity cellulose decreased by up 35%, which means it may not be suitable for conventional fiber-to-fiber recycling; however, might attractive other technologies, such emerging fiber processes, or raw material sugar platforms. Further, we present an upscaled industrial process layout, used pinpoint areas proposed require further optimization. The NaOH economy identified key viable process, several recommendations given decrease consumption NaOH. To enhance ecological end economic increased rate integration with pulp mill suggested.