Tech.eu writes that less than 1% of the used textile fibers are actually being recycled and turned into new fashion pieces. German startup eeden, however, developed a chemical solution that allows us to recover cellulose from cotton, while transforming polyester into the basic materials that make it up.

eeden, a startup founded in 2019, was able to develop a solution which allows recyclers to process PET materials more efficiently, while the recycled fibers retain like-new quality.

Steffen Gerlach, co-founder of eeden, said that "textile recycling is a complex puzzle. Different materials require specific processes, timed perfectly and in the right environment, to be separated without damage. The goal is to recover valuable components while eliminating unwanted elements."

The company's solution represents an opportunity for other businesses to explore this technology and integrate in in their own processes, so that they can gain a competitive advantage.

eeden is currently collaborating with industrial cloth washing companies to recover and recycle the fibers that get lost during the washing process.

"A good-sized washing company washes about 30 to 50 tons of textiles daily, resulting in a few tons every month. They typically have to pay to dispose of the textiles once they are no longer repairable and become post-consumer waste", Gerlach explained.

While recycling plastic waste is definitely beneficial for the planet and humans, recycled polyester shares one main issue that virgin polyester has, this being that during washing cycles, small particles rupture and make their way through our waterways, contaminating the ecosystems.

eeden officials plan to release a prototype textile product made with recycled polyester later this year, while extending collaborations with textile collectors and fashion brands.