We designed a modular polyester polymer for easier chemical recy clability of coloured and finished polyester fibres.
We propose to add a monomer in the polyester polymerisation process that can link the 2 original monomers without compromising the material properties.
Instead of dyeing the polymer with hydrophobic dyes, hydrophylic dyes and textile finishes would attach to the particular structure of the added monomers.
At the end of the life cycle, the modular polyester would be returned to the chemical recycling company that would be able to target the chemical bonds between the 3 monomers to separate them and obtain the original polyester monomers.
This process can be repeated multiple times, preserving the properties of the material, and allowing to remove the contaminants attached.