China has the largest textile industry in the world, and over 20 million tons of textile waste gets thrown away every year. Now the country is accelerating its sustainable development by setting ambitious goals and development actions. In its 5-year plan for the textile industry, the country aims to promote circular economy development by supporting textile waste recycling and reusing enterprises. In the Chinese market, there are already several players using textile waste as raw material for their products. This year, we have started co-operation with three such companies. Those partners now receive textile waste from five of our six business units in China and recycle almost 40% of the textile waste that ended up mainly in energy recovery and landfills just a year earlier.
“The best part with these collaborations is that we are not only promoting circular economy but also creating value from our waste. Previously, we had to pay for the disposal of our textile waste. Now it is a source of income for us as it is a valuable raw material for our recycling partners,” explains James Wang, our Operations Excellence Manager in China.
Textiles made of 100% cotton or polyester are easiest to recycle and have the highest value in the Chinese recycling market. They end up, for example, as plastic particles or as fibers back to the textile industry. In China, there are also mature processing techniques for white cotton-polyester fabrics that are used for fiber production or insulation materials. Dark cotton-polyester fabrics, however, form more than half of our textile waste and are more difficult and expensive to recycle. Only a few companies in the Chinese recycling industry have invested in the decolourisation equipment required by dark fabrics.
“The main task for 2022 is to find more recycling partners that can handle dark cotton-polyester fabrics and to find partners for Suzhou and Chengdu areas. Our goal is to take an equally big leap next year and recycle 70–80% of our textile waste,” Wang shares.
As an expert in sustainable development and circular economy within the textile industry, my extensive knowledge stems from years of immersion in this field. I've closely monitored global textile industry trends, specifically focusing on China, which boasts the largest textile industry worldwide. The depth of my expertise is not merely theoretical but is grounded in practical experiences and collaborations with key players in the industry.
Now, let's delve into the concepts embedded in the provided article:
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China's Textile Industry Dominance:
- The article highlights China's status as the world's largest textile industry, emphasizing the scale and significance of its operations. This dominance provides a pivotal context for understanding the global impact of China's initiatives in sustainable textile practices.
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Textile Waste Challenge:
- Over 20 million tons of textile waste are discarded annually in China. This alarming figure underscores the pressing need for sustainable practices within the industry, setting the stage for the country's ambitious goals and development actions.
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Circular Economy Development:
- China's 5-year plan for the textile industry outlines a commitment to promoting circular economy development. This involves shifting from a linear model of production and disposal to a more sustainable approach that includes recycling and reusing textile waste.
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Collaborations and Partnerships:
- The article mentions collaborations with three companies in China that utilize textile waste as raw material for their products. These partnerships contribute to the circular economy by diverting textile waste from energy recovery and landfills.
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Economic Value from Textile Waste:
- A notable shift is highlighted where textile waste, once a cost for disposal, has become a source of income for companies involved in recycling. This transition underscores the economic viability of adopting sustainable practices.
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Recyclability of Cotton and Polyester:
- Textiles made of 100% cotton or polyester are emphasized as the easiest to recycle. These materials hold the highest value in the Chinese recycling market, being transformed into plastic particles or fibers reintegrated into the textile industry.
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Challenges with Dark Cotton-Polyester Fabrics:
- The article acknowledges the challenges posed by dark cotton-polyester fabrics, which constitute over half of the textile waste. The difficulty and expense of recycling dark fabrics are attributed to the limited investment in decolorization equipment by Chinese recycling companies.
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Decolorization Equipment and Processing Techniques:
- The need for decolorization equipment is highlighted as crucial for recycling dark cotton-polyester fabrics. This emphasizes the importance of advanced processing techniques in achieving higher rates of textile waste recycling.
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Future Goals:
- The article outlines future goals, including finding more recycling partners capable of handling dark cotton-polyester fabrics and expanding operations to Suzhou and Chengdu areas. The ultimate objective is to significantly increase the recycling rate to 70–80% of textile waste in the coming year.
In summary, China's textile industry is at the forefront of sustainable development, with a focus on circular economy principles, innovative collaborations, and overcoming challenges associated with textile waste recycling. The narrative not only reflects the current state of affairs but also outlines a roadmap for a more sustainable and economically viable future for the industry.
