REACT partner Soft Chemicals takes us through this checkpoint phase in the project’s sustainable process.

Soft Chemicals has successfully applied at industrial level the chemicals reactions designed in the laboratories of Ghent University and University of Bergamo (link), and replicated the positive research results: up to 100% of the chemical finishes can be removed from the waste acrylic fabrics without inflicting any real damage on the fibres, and ensuring a safe and environmentally friendly recycling process.

Positively assessed by the research centres involved and Centrocot, the trial was performed on the waste acrylic fabrics collected by Parà, specifically the frayed samples of multicolour fabric for awnings/umbrellas from customers, and the multicolour selvedges of awnings/umbrellas from finishing dpt. To fine-tune the processing time, a new trial will be run in later this month and will involve un-frayed samples of white fabric for awnings/umbrellas from customers, and multicolour selvedges of coated awnings from finishing dpt.

REACT project’s overall goal is to mechanically recycle acrylic fabrics from the production or end-of-life of awnings, specifically addressing the removal of the hazardous substances present on the fabric.