Textile Waste Transformed into Energy Source

The Institute of Energy Technology (ITE), in collaboration with ATEVAL, has unveiled the initial results of the Tex2Energy project, a research initiative aimed at developing innovative solutions to utilise non-recyclable textile waste as an energy source.

This technology aims to generate energy by producing hydrogen through the thermochemical transformation of various types of textile waste. Additionally, it optimises the compaction process of textile waste, thereby improving process efficiency and increasing the hydrogen output, according to the project leaders.

Currently, non-recyclable textile waste is one of the major challenges facing the textile industry. To address this, the Tex2Energy project was launched to implement energy recovery processes that turn waste into resources, enhancing sustainability and profitability for businesses, including the generation of renewable hydrogen.

The Tex2Energy project is supported by the Generalitat Valenciana through the regulatory grant agreement of the Generalitat, via the Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism and the Institute of Energy Technology (ITE), to support IITT for innovation projects in collaboration with companies within the framework of smart specialisation, during the 2024 fiscal year.

One of the project's initial steps has been to analyse different pre-treatment techniques for textile waste to reduce their volume and heterogeneity, improving the efficiency of energy recovery processes and highlighting their importance in sustainability. The goal is to transform what is currently a problem into an opportunity to continue advancing towards the green transformation of the sector.

With these initial results, ATEVAL and ITE emphasise that the project will enable progress towards creating a more circular economy in the textile sector, mitigating the effects caused by "fast fashion." Moreover, it will prevent the disposal of textile waste in landfills, its incineration and co-incineration, which is prohibited by the Waste and Contaminated Soils Act 7/2022.

According to Laura Santos from ATEVAL, "the transformation of the sector towards circularity and sustainability requires innovative solutions like those provided by the Tex2Energy project, which will be a significant step forward in addressing the textile waste problem."

Furthermore, she notes that "it also facilitates compliance with regulations for companies, which must be aware of the importance of understanding them well, as compliance not only avoids penalties but also opens doors to incentives and benefits that promote business sustainability, making a difference in the positioning of companies."