Mechanical Recycling
Worldwide, a vast amount of post-industrial and post-consumer textile waste awaits its turn for recycling. The common practice in textile recycling involves shredding and opening fabrics down to the fibre level. This raw material is then repurposed for spinning. However, due to the aggressive nature of the opening process, the recovered fibres are typically shorter compared to virgin materials.
The Crucial Role of Fibre Length Distribution
To transform textile waste into strong and even yarn, a precise analysis and evaluation of the fibre length distribution are paramount. Textechno’s FIBROTEST and FIBROLENGTH allow you to measure the fibre length distribution of all types of fibres. In addition, FIBROTEST also measures the bundle strength, and elongation. This includes coloured fibres, fibre blends, synthetic fibres, and natural fibres, making both devices exceptionally suited for mechanically recycled fibres.
Recycled Fibre Verification
Measuring the fibre length is an important aspect of proving that fibres are genuinely recycled. For instance, Textileexchange.org – as renowned authority in sustainable textile practices – offers the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) and the Global Recycling Standard (GRS). Here, fibre test reports presenting the fibre length as measured e.g. with FIBROTEST play a vital role to support the recycling claim. By the way: GRS and RCS also require recycled yarn tests. These can be done using for instance our STATIMAT DS or COVAMAT S.
Yarn Remnant Contamination
Moreover, yarn remnants that persist in the opened fibre material can interfere with the subsequent spinning process and reduce production yield. Here, MDTA 4 effectively separates yarn remnants from the fibres, enabling you to measure the amount of contamination and maintain the integrity of your recycling process.
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