Page 69 - TEXtalks. May-June 2023

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Oerlikon Barmag WINGS

VacuFil is a unique and innovative PET recycling line, “In the polymer processing industry, we have to come
uniting gentle large-scale filtration and targeted to a sustainable, closed circular economy for
intrinsic viscoscity (IV) regulation for consistently packaging materials and textiles, for example, while
consumption of textiles is already the fourth-largest commitment. Our goals also include obtaining 100% outstanding rPET melt quality. In 2022, BB simultaneously intensively expanding the recycling of
source of negative environmental and climate change of our electrical energy from renewable sources and Engineering launched a patented key component of the materials used. Here, new materials also offer
impacts within the European Union (EU). A major achieving the standard of ,Zero Harm to People’”. the VacuFil system, the Visco+ filter as a separate opportunities – opportunities that we as a machine
reason for this is relentless textile growth: the Ellen and easily integrable upgrade component that manufacturer and plant engineering company will
MacArthur Foundation states that the global In addition to regulatory initiatives, technical enables precise IV setting and pure melt with the help exploit. However, compared to non-biodegradable,
production of textile almost doubled between 2000 innovation is required to connect the beginning and of vacuum. IV is the central quality characteristic in petrochemical-based polymers such as PE, PET and
and 2015. And the annual consumption of apparel the end of the linear textiles industry and to close the PET recycling and rPET processing. PP, the prices for bio-based polymers like PA 5.6. and
and shoes is expected to further rise by 63 percent loop. Finally, the recycled materials must be suitable biodegradable polymers like PLA, PBAT and PBS are
by 2030 – from currently 62 million to 102 million tons for the spinning process, provide a usable yarn Energy Efficiency? EvoSteam process revolutionizes not yet competitive. In contrast, the properties of
This year's ITMA trade show appearance of the solutions in an innovative way within its inspiring polyester staple fiber production bio-based materials used for consumer products,
Oerlikon Group will focus on current challenges that experience center. – adds the European Environment Agency. quality and be able to be further processed, i.e., There is a huge demand for textile fibers: population especially those used in the packaging industry, are
the entire textile industry has to deal with: creating a dyed. Despite these challenges, there are promising growth of around 3% per annum, fast fashion and already competitive. It appears compostable textiles
circular economy within the textile value chain, Circular Economy and Recycling? Enabling customers With this market development in mind, Oerlikon is solutions on the horizon, even though some many other factors are fueling this demand. will remain a niche market”, explains Stausberg.
providing energy-efficient technologies, using digital to achieve more with less intensively involved in Worn Again Technologies. The processes are not yet ready for commercial According to international studies, global demand for
solutions to support a sustainable production, Textiles are becoming an increasingly big polluter. To British partnership is focusing on solvent-based exploitation. staple fibers made from polyester will total 20 million “But one thing is certain: utilizing current Oerlikon
processing new materials, and finally the traceability tackle the growing mountains of used clothing, it is recycling technology, with which both end-of-life tons in 2025 – this is approx. 33% more than the technologies and future innovations, we will be able
of all products and the recycling of raw materials above all European politicians who are developing a textiles comprising polyester and polycotton blends Oerlikon Barmag is offering technological solutions production volume recorded in 2013. In view of to transform virtually any raw material into an
used. And there are certainly many more subject comprehensive strategy for a regulating circular and PET plastics can be converted into circular raw for rPET that enable customers to save million tons of noticeable climate change and its impact on people ecologically attractive end product. The economic
areas that the visitors of the ITMA will have questions economy. And the textiles industry is also making its materials and fibers (polyester and cellulose). For CO2 per year. In 2022, Oerlikon Barmag introduced, and the economy, resource- and environment-friendly questions will ultimately be answered by consumers.
about. Oerlikon therefore invites all trade fair visitors mark with innovative technologies for recycling this, a large demonstration system for upcycling a homogenizer recycling line specifically for manufacturing methods are absolutely crucial for the Technology is once again enabling us to create a
to engage in a dialog with all its experts at its booth in manmade fibers. However, there is still a long way to 1,000 tons of textiles per annum is being created in customers in China and Asia where bottle flakes and future. High production costs are currently eating into better world”, says Stausberg.
hall 1, B211. On more than 500 m², Oerlikon will give go before we have a sustainable textile world. Switzerland. “We are supporting technological film waste can be agglomerated, extruded, the margins of fiber producers. Noteworthy here are
initial answers to the urgent questions of the present innovators such as Worn Again Technologies homogenized and melted to produce polymer melt or above all massively increased energy and polymer Digitalization and Traceability?
and the future and will present its technology According to the European Environment Agency, the because we believe their solution is extremely chips. It enables the polymer quality of recycled
promising and because they are driving cooperation bottles or film waste to be precisely adjusted to the prices, but water is also an important resource today With its sustainable and closed loop-compatible
between the individual producers within the value requirements of different downstream extrusion or – very frequently scarce and consequently expensive. textiles strategy, the EU plans to become a pioneer
chain. Recycling only works when all players injection molding processes. At this year’s ITMA in Milan, Oerlikon Neumag will be for the global circular economy as well. By 2030,
cooperate in a circular system”, emphasizes unveiling its new EvoSteam process to interested textile products marketed within the EU are to
Stausberg. He is already looking to the future: “The Another rPET solution is the VacuFil system from the trade visitors, viewed by many process experts as an become more durable and recyclable, predominantly
time for closed-loop strategies and the Oerlikon Barmag joint venture, BB Engineering. enabler for more sustainable staple fiber production comprise recycled fibers, contain no hazardous
corresponding sustainable technologies is now – let’s in the future. The objective of the new development is substances and be manufactured in compliance with
talk about it at ITMA.” to lower both operating expenses (OPEX) and the social rights and in a manner that protects the
carbon footprint with minimal consumption of energy,
In terms of sustainability, however, Oerlikon also sets water and polymer – simultaneously with the environmental. This also includes the introduction of
a digital product passport and the amendment of the
itself high goals. Stausberg: “It is no surprise that we excellent fiber qualities demanded by downstream
have applied high standards of innovation to our own processes and high production volumes. European Textile Labeling Act: To implement the
operations and practices. For several years, Oerlikon closed-loop principle and other important
has been creating pilot initiatives that we intend to New Materials? environmental requirements, players along the value
implement company-wide to the greatest extent Looking back at the regulations of the European chain must also fulfill new information obligations
possible. For example, we are committed to Union, among others, there are also major challenges about the composition of textiles. At the show,
achieving CO2 neutrality in all our locations by 2030 for new materials. In that regard the Green Deal can Oerlikon will present own digital technology solutions
as we have already done at our site in Liechtenstein only be realized if new European Union policy and those that have been tested in collaboration with
that provides our blueprint for meeting this frameworks create certainty for future investments. various partners for the use in Oerlikon technologies.
May/June 2023