Cotton yarn (prototype production) made of 50% fibres defibrated using Dry Fibre Technology
The partners seek to accelerate the use of recycled fibres by establishing a technology to separate the fibres from hard-to-defibrate post-consumer fabrics
Epson is seeking to meet the growing global need for recycled fibres by using its proprietary Dry Fibre Technology to establish technology for defibrating hard-to-recycle fabrics and expand real-world fibre recycling. To this end Epson has entered into a joint development agreement with The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA), an R&D centre specialising in the development of innovative solutions to the textile, clothing and fashion industry.
Spurred by a growing recognition of global environmental issues, a trend toward using recycled fibres from unwanted clothing has been gaining steam, particularly in countries moving to increase the ratio of recycled fibres used and limit the use of petroleum-derived synthetic fibres.
Currently, a machine called a garnett is commonly used in the textile recycling process to separate the fibres in waste material. However, garnetts are unable to effectively separate the fibres of some of the most common textiles in the apparel market, such as tightly weave fabrics used for dress shirts and bed sheets and elastic blended fabrics used for functional clothing.
Epson seeks to solve this problem by using its unique Dry Fibre Technology to establish a process for defibrating elastic blended fabrics and tightly woven fabrics. The aim is to provide a new solution for recycling clothing fibres by entering into a joint development agreement with HKRITA.
This solution will be able to help greatly accelerate the use of recycled fibres by making it possible to separate fibres from challenging textiles such as functional clothing, sheets and dress shirts, as well as from factory mill ends, unsold items of clothing and unwanted apparel.
Dry Fibre Technology, independently developed by Epson, enables the creation of new value from post-consumer paper, wood, clothing and other fibrous waste and used products. It is one of the core technologies around which Epson is building an environmental business. In addition to developing recycled fibre production solutions, Epson is producing new paper and packaging materials from used paper and other raw materials. It is also developing stronger and more durable recycled plastic and bio-based plastic. Epson is building an environmental business by applying this technology and will contribute to environmental impact mitigation and resource circulation.
Established in Hong Kong in 2006, HKRITA engages in applied research to support the textile and apparel industry in order to boost its overall competitiveness, drive sustainable improvements and bring benefits to society. By providing one-stop services for applied research, technology transfer and commercialisation, HKRITA makes sustained efforts to promote successful projects for industry application.
For more information on Epson Dry Fibre Technology go to: https://corporate.epson/
For more information on HKRITA go to: https://www.hkrita.com
Follow Epson on social media:
LinkedIn: @Epson-Australia
Facebook: @EpsonAustralia
Twitter: @EpsonAust
YouTube: @EpsonAustralia
Instagram: @EpsonAust
About Epson, Epson Australia and Epson New Zealand
Epson is a global technology leader whose philosophy of efficient, compact and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson’s goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1 trillion.
https://corporate.epson/en/
Epson Australia offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for the commercial, industrial, consumer, business, photography and graphic arts markets, and is also a leading supplier of value-added point-of-sale (POS) solutions for the retail market. Epson is the market leader in Australia and worldwide in sales of projectors for the home, office and education. Established in 1983 Epson Australia and now in its 40th year of operation, its headquartered in Macquarie Park, NSW and is a subsidiary of the Epson Group headquartered in Japan.
www.epson.com.au
Epson New Zealand offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for the commercial, industrial, consumer, business, photography and graphic arts markets, and is also a leading supplier of value-added point-of-sale (POS) solutions for the retail market. Epson is a market leader in New Zealand, Australia and worldwide in sales of projectors for the home, office and education. Epson New Zealand is headquartered in Auckland and is a branch of Epson Australia Pty Limited, a subsidiary of the Epson Group headquartered in Japan.
www.epson.co.nz
Plants, seeds & more delivered to your door!
www.nativeshop.com.au
Advertisement
