Technology & Process

There are a number of technologies available to recycle polyester.

Mechanical Recycling
The simplest method melt extrudes PET bottles into fibres. It is used widely, but has a limited range of application.

Chemical Recycling
A more complex technology which takes PET back to the monomer level before melt extrusion. This method produces a higher grade of fibre comparable with virgin PET.

Chemical Closed Loop Recycling
Teijin Eco Circle™ recycled polyester is the worlds first closed-loop recycling system that uses PET post consumer garment in a closed loop (the use of waste consumer product as raw material for new product) chemical recycling process.

Image credit: Patagonia
Video Credit:
Patagonia