Taiwan consortium develops polyester elastomer from textile waste

A Taiwan-based consortium has developed a new recycling technology that can convert textile waste into a soft, high-performance polyester elastomer. The technology aims to address the challenges of recycling composite materials commonly found in footwear and fashion products.

The consortium includes polyester manufacturer Far Eastern New Century Corporation (FENC), which worked with its partners to develop FENC Topgreen rTPEE. The technology can convert contaminated footwear waste into recycled polyester with a purity of 99.5%.

According to FENC, the new rTPEE material can be used in a wide range of footwear and textile applications. These include shoe midsoles and outsoles, elastic fibres, waterproof and breathable membranes, and synthetic leather. The consortium also includes the Taiwan Textile Research Institute (TTRI), Long John Tsung Right Industrial Co., Ltd. and Pro Arch International Development Enterprise Inc.

FENC said that using polyester-based materials across different parts of a shoe can support the development of single-material footwear. This can make sorting and recycling easier at the end of a product’s life, allowing the footwear to undergo chemical recycling more efficiently.

The technology also offers environmental benefits. FENC said its polyester-based solution can reduce carbon emissions by more than 40% compared with conventional thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), which is widely used in footwear and textile products. At the same time, the material is designed to maintain the required performance and functionality.