Teijin Frontier has developed a new recycling technology for coloured polyester fibres. It is a kind of chemical recycling, which means that, fibres containing impurities like dyes are depolymerised and repolymerised with newly developed catalysts. Thanks to the new technology, recycled coloured polyester fibres can have a quality equal to petroleum oil derived materials. Also, it causes less environmental impact than conventional recycling technologies. Through demonstration experiments, the company aims to start mass production of some tens of thousands of tons per year in a few years. They will also seek partner companies to collaborate with them.

JCFA News Letter (No.22) November, 2022/Japan Chemical Fibers Association