Category: NEWS & EVENTS

After the launch of the public tender (dated 20/04/2018) for the subcontracting of the process of the synthesis and production of PET pellets by means of the polymerization of the monomer BHET, the University of the Basque Country obtains the most positive evaluation in this respect. Once numerous proposals had been received, the candidacy of UPV-EHU was objectively evaluated, consolidating the agreement after signing the collaboration contract for the production and characterisation of the PET obtained. ...

After performing the resonance analysis of several samples produced by PET degradation al GAIKER's facilities, it is confirmed that the BHET obtained has a high purity >=90% by weight and, in addition, the % of oligomers is very small. The results have been contrasted and validated with the updated data of large PET synthesis companies, complying to the maximum with the requirements and quality standards.          ...

El proyecto europeo LIFE-ECOTEX destinado a cerrar el ciclo de los residuos de naturaleza poliéster procedentes de la industria del calzado se encuentra en la mitad de su periodo de ejecución habiendo finalizado con éxito la producción de más de 300 kg de BHET, monómero químico de alto valor añadido. El Proyecto LIFE-ECOTEX, liderado por el centro tecnológico GAIKER-IK4 junto a la participación del centro tecnológico CTCR y las empresas BETA, LOGROTEX y EKOREC, comenzó en septiembre del año 2016 con el objetivo de demostrar el concepto de economía circular en la industria del calzado, mediante el reciclaje químico de residuos de naturaleza poliéster y su conversión en compuestos de alto valor añadido, como es el caso de los monómeros químicos recuperados concretamente el (bis-(2-hidroxietil) terftalato ó BHET, que sirvan para la síntesis de nuevos polímeros y nuevos productos textiles más sostenibles. A lo largo de la primera parte del proyecto se han llevado a cabo las acciones preparativas necesarias para acondicionar...

The consortium of the Project LIFE-ECOTEX is studying the possibility to industrialise the chemical recycling process of PET waste through catalytic glycolysis. For that, some critical issues are being assessed, such as the industrial equipment, plant capacity, required investments, waste supply sources and the potential market for the products obtained. ...

After some months of continuous reactions in the pilot plant and purification operations, GAIKER-IK4 has produced over 300 kg of BHET, that are ready for their polymerisation and the production of PET. ...

Over the course of the second semester of 2017, diverse networking activities with different entities have been developed. Among them: Meeting with NOVAPET, company focused on the formulation and production of PET. Meeting with the Institute of Polymers Science and Technology, part of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). Meeting with MORON, manufacturer of textile insoles and, at the same time, generator of textile waste. Meeting with SOEX GROUP, company leader in recycling and trade of used textiles. Meeting with NESTLE Waters, company dedicated to the production of bottled water. Meeting with BRIDGESTONE, manufacturer of tyres. Meeting with NUREL, company focused on the production, commercialisation and design of polymers, particularly polyamides and biopolymers. Meeting with the Department of Chemistry-Physics of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Research Group of Macromolecular Chemistry. ...

After obtaining over 300kg of BHET and as a part of the tasks B2. New polyester synthesis and polyester staple fibre (PSF) manufacturing pilot experience, the demonstration of the Process BHET2PET will be carried out to get new chemically recycled PET. To that end, GAIKER-IK4 is preparing the bidding document to open the subcontracting tender for that activities in March. ...

In order to achieve a large international impact and increment the environmental and social benefits of the projects, according to the EC policies, a strategy of replicability has been developed and is supported in the following pillars: • Replication in the footwear sector in some countries at European level. • Replication using PET wastes from automotive sector and packaging industry. • Replication through the introduction of new fibres of recycled PET in other sectors: packaging, textile, automotive and building. ...

The Project LIFE-ECOTEX has been presented in different types of events by the partners of the project; particularly, CTCR participated in the 2nd edition of Momad Shoes 2017, at IFEMA, the referral trade fair for footwear sector in Spain. There, it exhibited many advances related to sustainability, within the specific area “Sustainable Fashion”. In this regard, the eco-innovation was leaded by the Project LIFE-ECOTEX, focused on the possibilities of the circular economy applied to the chemical recycling of polyester. Thus, many visitors from the fashion and footwear sectors, showed great interest in the successes achieved. CTCR was also present at Futurmoda, the International Trade Fair for Leather, Components and Machinery for Footwear and Leather Goods, on 25 and 26 October at IFA, Fair Institution of Alicante. In the stand, CTCR showed the progress of the Project LIFE-ECOTEX to more than 400 exhibitors: 135 exhibitors focused on leather, 89 on footwear components, 70 on textiles, 64 on soles and heels, 26 on...

The third annual follow-up meeting of the Project LIFE-ECOTEX took place on 15 December 2017 in Oviedo at the facilities of Beta Group. In this meeting, all the partner entities reviewed the advances made until then and defined the tasks to be done for the next phase. During the session, the partners shared the technical progresses carried out in the last semester in relation to the production of 250kg of BHET and the socio-economic study for the scaling-up of the glycolysis reaction. Furthermore, the networking and communication activities carried out by all the entities were exposed, as well as the agenda, new tasks and forecasts of each partner for the first months of 2018. ...