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[Enzymatic depolymerization of polyester-cotton textiles for the recovery of terephthalic acid]

  • 0College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China.
Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao = Chinese Journal of Biotechnology +

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September 25, 2025

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September 25, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study presents an enzymatic recycling method for polyester-cotton textiles, recovering high-purity terephthalic acid monomers with over 90% efficiency. This sustainable approach offers a scalable solution for textile waste management.

Area Of Science

  • Materials Science
  • Biotechnology
  • Environmental Science

Background

  • Polyester-cotton textiles are widely used but pose environmental pollution challenges due to improper disposal.
  • Current textile recycling methods have limitations, necessitating advanced solutions.
  • Enzymatic recycling offers a promising, eco-friendly alternative for textile waste treatment.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To develop and evaluate a large-scale enzymatic depolymerization process for polyester-cotton blended fabrics.
  • To achieve high-purity monomer recovery from waste textiles.
  • To investigate the impact of different polyester-to-cotton ratios and colors on the recycling efficiency.

Main Methods

  • Textiles were mechanically ground and pretreated.
  • Cotton components were depolymerized using cellulase.
  • Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) crystallinity was reduced via thermal treatment.
  • PET was depolymerized using an engineered PET hydrolase enzyme.
  • Terephthalic acid (TPA) was decolorized and separated.

Main Results

  • Monomer recovery rates of 90-92% were achieved for textile blends with varying polyester-to-cotton ratios (65/35 to 80/20).
  • The purity of the recovered terephthalic acid (TPA) exceeded 99%, confirmed by NMR analysis.
  • The process demonstrated effectiveness across different textile colors.

Conclusions

  • A fully enzymatic recycling process for polyester-cotton textiles has been successfully developed.
  • The process enables efficient recovery of high-purity terephthalic acid monomers.
  • This innovative method shows significant potential for large-scale industrial application in sustainable textile recycling.

Keywords:

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