Xeros Technology, a clean tech company based in the United Kingdom, has launched a research investigation on upcycling microfibers captured from laundering clothes into carbon material. The microfibers that are used are described by Xeros as microscopic "threads" less than 5mm that separate from textiles during normal wear and laundering.
Through this research, Xeros has found a way to upcycle these textile micro/nanofibres and convert them into clean hydrogen and solid carbon nanomaterials that could benefit multiple industries, like environmental packaging.
"As a chemical and environmental engineer working to devise solutions to reach a circular economy, I was motivated to research whether we could use any of the tools at our disposal to utilize this emerging microfibre waste stream as a valuable feedstock in chemical reactions."
Microfiber Upcycling Methods
Xeros Debuts a Research Initiative for Upcycling Plastic Microfibers
Trend Themes
1. Microfiber Upcycling - Companies can explore upcycling textile micro/nanofibres to convert them into clean hydrogen and carbon nanomaterials, providing a solution for emerging microfibre waste stream.
2. Circular Economy - Researching whether waste stream can be converted into valuable feedstocks in chemical reactions is necessary for companies to explore in efforts of reducing product and environmental waste.
3. Nanomaterials - Exploring the conversion of textile micro/nanofibres into carbon nanomaterials can open up a range of opportunities across various industries, such as environmental packaging.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion & Textile - The textile industry can explore upcycling textile micro/nanofibres in their production processes to move towards a more sustainable and circular production model.
2. Packaging - Upcycling carbon nanomaterials can offer an opportunity for the packaging industry to produce environmentally sustainable packaging solutions.
3. Energy Production - The conversion of textile micro/nanofibres into clean hydrogen can set a new direction for energy production with possibilities to develop new methods of harnessing energy from waste products.