ARCO PROVIDES SEED FUNDING FOR POLYESTER RECYCLING PROJECT

Description

Safety company Arco has committed seed funding to start-up Stuff4Life to support the research and development of a polyester workwear recycling project.

The funding will enable Stuff4Life to commission a chemical recycling demonstration plant in collaboration with Teesside University, bringing onboard its academic experts, research capabilities and facilities.

The plant would recover the base compound terephthalic acid (TPA), used in the production of polyester fabric, from recycled workwear.

The recovered TPA would then be reincorporated into various manufacturing processes, with the goal being to manufacture new polyester to deliver a 'PPE for Life' opportunity in the UK.

As part of the trial phase, Arco and Stuff4Life will collect, shred, and transport up to six tonnes of end-of-line polyester, and polyester mix, garments. The garments will then be recycled using chemical processes.

If the initiative is successful, Arco and Stuff4Life will be able to support a circular economy for workwear.