Circulary

Sympatex is part of the French consortium FRIVEP© (Filière pour le Réemploi et Recyclage des Vêtements Professionnels) covering the entire recycling circle. The goal of the consortium is to recycle discarded workwear clothing into renewable functional fabrics, which are 100% recycled, recyclable and PFC-free functional.

Used polyester protective workwear come from the French companies and government agencies.

Sympatex supplies 100% recyclable, PTFE- and PFC-free membrane as well as recycled outer materials and lining, providing needed water- and dirt-repellent functionality. Central to this strategy is the provision of completely non-toxic, recycled textiles that can be recycled again in order to bring used polyester fabric back into circulation in a way that ensures value retention.

• Reduction of 21,500 kg of textile waste in pilot phase as a result of upcycling discarded workwear clothing. Expected utilisation of discarded textiles of up to 150 tonnes in 2020.
• CO₂ emissions reduced by >40% using the Sympatex® membrane in jackets (hardshell and softshell).
• Sympatex® membrane can save up to 57.44% water consumption and up to 98.1% CO₂ per 100 running meters.
• The technology avoids application of harmful PFCs.

• Lack of government enforcement & cooperation for legislation of sustainable uniforms and workwear.
• Lack of harmonisation in EU legislation for tender business.
• Challenges in recycling materials, sometimes even impossible due to diversity of fabrics and composites.
• Acceptance of Design2Recycle®: Using only homogenous material composition and customer acceptance of limited design implementations.
• High costs for recycled materials must be reduced to achieve an acceptable price range.
• Higher costs for recycling process compared to virgin material production.
• Reliable process needed from partners in sorting and chemical/mechanical recycling to close the loop immediately.
• Increasing volumes of low-quality textiles, which cannot be used for upcycling processes.

Leonie Biesen

+491705603312

leonie.biesen@sympatex.com