Textile Recycling Technologies, Colouring and Finishing Methods

1.0 INTRODUCTION 
The textiles and apparel industry is one of the largest and fastest growing global industrial sectors, 
owing to increasing population, the rise in consumption, the diverse applications of textiles, and 
greater productivity in mass production processes. With a 1.3 trillion USD annual revenue in 
2016
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, the global clothing industry is the largest consumer of textiles.
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Annual production has 
nearly doubled since 2000, surpassing 100 billion units in 2015 with apparel consumption expected 
to rise 63% by 2030. This increase is partly due to the burgeoning fast fashion industry, which 
relies on shorter production cycles and style turnaround, often at lower prices, enabling a larger 
selection and choice for consumers.
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As a resource and energy intensive industry, the apparel sector’s presence is far-reaching with 
associated environmental, economic, and social impacts across the value chain. Total fibre 
production in the global textile industry had increased by nearly 20% to 103 million tonnes 
between 2011 and 2017.
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The textile and apparel industry is expected to increase its CO
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emissions 
by more than 60% (roughly 2.5 billion tonnes per year) by 2030 while also experiencing a 50% 
increase in freshwater consumption from 79 million cubic metres in 2017.
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The ecological 
footprint of the industry, specifically the impacts of textile and associated chemical waste, remains 
as both a continuing global challenge and an opportunity to drive innovative change in processes, 
products, and sustainable development for the future.
Across the industry, there is increasing awareness of the global impacts of the current linear system 
of take-make-dispose. This extends from raw materials extraction and production inputs, to 
distribution and usage, and results in large volumes of generated waste, degradation of the 
environment, ecosystems, and overall, uncaptured economic opportunities.
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In recent decades 
there has been a growing push for calls to action among stakeholders and policy makers, which 
have led to and continue to drive developments in improved practices and innovative technology. 
The overarching intention is to shift from a linear to a regenerative circular system in which 
products and material usage are kept and maintained within closed-loop cycles and associated 
waste, energy, and emissions are minimized and gradually designed out.
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 Such practices extend 
from resource extraction and material production through to business models, design principles, 
and consumer perception and engagement. 
Addressing the environmental challenges faced by the apparel industry from a material resources 
standpoint entails materials and process technology developments and advancements at all stages, 
from raw materials production to managing and designing out waste streams. With a reported 87% 
of all end-of-use textiles going to landfill and incineration, textile waste has become a growing 
global challenge and concern.
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Textile recycling technology is a key enabler in transitioning to a 
circular system, specifically with the establishment of fibre-to-fibre streams. In addition to this, 
consideration of the impacts associated with chemicals from the dyeing and finishing processes 
used to make textiles for clothing must be addressed. Post-production waste management and 
clothing usage and disposal have resulted in contamination of major waterways, notably from 
manufacturing waste in the countries where production takes place, or post-consumer waste in 
landfills. Dye and finishing chemicals have also been cited as having the potential to impede textile 
recycling methods.
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Textile Recycling Technologies, Colouring and Finishing Methods | Le 
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The objective of this report is to identify and advance knowledge of closed-loop (fibre-to-fibre) 
textile recycling technologies, colouring and chemical finishing processes, as well as future 
developments. The information in this report is intended to be shared among researchers, industry 
professionals, and policy makers to increase the understanding of available technologies and 
current barriers and opportunities, encourage exploration into alternative solutions and strategies, 
innovative technologies, and to inform technology feasibility and future development.