Recycled Biodegradable Polyester Textiles

CLEAN IMPACT TEXTILESâ„¢ from Duvaltex represent the first Recycled Biodegradable Polyester textile for commercial interiors. It is also a step forward in establishing an advanced bi-circular economy model for textiles whereby polyester fabric, at the end of its useful life, can flow through either a biological or technical cycle.

This technology allows Duvaltex to create high performance fabrics that are long-wearing in commercial interiors, but that can biodegrade in landfills and wastewater conditions at a rate similar to that of natural fibers (tested under ASTM D5511). Textile biodegradability is achieved through the addition of a bio-catalyst in the yarn-extrusion process that enables anaerobic digestion in landfill and wastewater treatment conditions.

In addition, since these biodegradable polyester fabrics were designed and manufactured for recyclability, as are many of the Duvaltex products, these fabrics can also flow through a technical cycle, to be recycled and used as raw materials for future generations of polyester fabrics.

This innovation for commercial fabrics addresses the problem of how to deal with polyester fabric waste at the end of its useful life, offering both a biological and technical solution.

“Based on the alarming statistics regarding the amount of textile waste that ends up in landfills, these innovative fabrics represent eco-efficiency by design at its best, and a crucial step forward in reducing the negative impact of a linear economy,” says Alain Duval, CEO of Duvaltex.

One of Duvaltex’s ongoing sustainable initiatives over the years was how to implement viable solutions for managing textile waste.

“As new technologies and systems are being developed, there are now multiple options for dealing with polyester textile waste, with these innovative fabrics establishing a new model, capable of either a biological or technical cycle at the end of their useful life,” says Mr. Duval.

Designed and manufactured to conform to the strict performance requirements of the Contract textiles market, Duvaltex’s CLEAN IMPACT TEXTILES meet or exceed the ACT performance guidelines for heavy-duty upholstery. These patterns were designed for specification across a wide range of seating applications, with one pattern developed for multipurpose use for seating, panels, free-standing screens, and acoustic panels.

This recycled biodegradable polyester textile includes five coordinating upholstery patterns, each showcasing a different perspective on the play of horizontal and vertical lines, from a classic grid to overlapping lines to a subtle in-and-out crisscross effect. These “softened” geometrics range in scale from high impact oversized to midscale multicolor to small overall texture. Yarn-dye technology is used to create dramatic multicolor looks, while piece-dye technology is used for rich, strong color. Texture is created through the use of both boucle and chenille yarns for lighter-traffic commercial use. Fabric colors range from deep, saturated blues to forest greens, desert mesa reds, and comforting corals, along with coordinating neutrals from light to dark. The interaction of the different scales and textures creates a warm, welcoming, and rich environment that helps to engage and relax the end user.

Duvaltex will introduce CLEAN IMPACT TEXTILES at Neocon in Chicago from June 10-12, 2019 on the 7th floor in booth 9041.

Courtesy: Facility Executive