Process Strategies Enabling Selective Polymer Valorization from Textile Fiber Blends

The increasing complexity of textile waste, particularly blended fibers, represents a major challenge for conventional recycling approaches. This study proposes a selective valorization strategy for mixed textile waste streams by applying tailored chemical recycling routes to individual fiber type. Preliminary tests identified suitable methodologies for each fiber type: dissolution-precipitation for acrylic (poly(acrylonitrile)-PAN), acidolysis for nylon, glycolysis for polyester (PeS) and acetylation for cotton. Structural characterization confirmed that the incorporation of recycled products did not significantly change the chemical structure or crystallinity of the resulting materials. Furthermore, thermal analysis revealed comparable or slightly improved thermal stability in most recycled systems. Additionally, mechanical performance was observed to vary depending on the polymer type. Recycled acrylic and cellulose acetate showed reduced ductility, while nylon exhibited increased stiffness due to possible recrystallization effects. In contrast, PeS displayed enhanced elongation at break, suggesting increased chain mobility or plasticization effects. Overall, the results demonstrate that selective chemical valorization is a promising route for the efficient recycling of complex textile waste, enabling the recovery of high-quality materials with retained functional properties.