SIPTex Swedish Innovation Platform for Textile sorting
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | IVL SVENSKA MILJÖINSTITUTET AB - IVL Svenska MIijöinstitutet Stockholm |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 8 858 296 |
| Project duration | June 2016 - August 2018 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Challenge-driven innovation - Phase 2 Collaboration |
Important results from the project
SIPTex evaluated the potentials for automated textile sorting to generate high quality recycling products matching market demand for fiber-to-fiber recycling. During one year’s time textile wastes were sorted according to fiber type and color using near-infrared and visual spectroscopy (NIR/VIS). Generated recycling products were analyzed with respect to fiber content, chemical content and fiber quality. A detailed business plan for a full scale automated textile sorting facility was developed based on the practical sorting results.
Expected long term effects
By building and operating the SIPTex pilot facility existing automated recognition and sorting technique could be adjusted and evaluated specifically for textile waste. Practical tests and analyses provided unique experiences regarding potential, challenges and limitations for automated textile sorting to produce high quality recycling products. This contributed to a well-founded business plan for a full scale sorting facility. Additional development and test of industrial scale solutions for textile collection enables efficient handling of increasing textile volumes.
Approach and implementation
SIPTex was in step 2 characterized by stakeholder dialogue, practical tests and a holistic view of material flows in the textile value chain. The sorting was designed in dialogue with textile producers, recyclers and collectors to ensure relevance and usability of the project results. The operational experiences from industrial textile collection and automates textile sorting provides valuable insights regarding the practical prerequisites for creating more circular textile flows. The pilot facility attracted large national and international attention.