Sustainable Polyethylene Textile Fabrics Come Out

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Can cheap plastics "transform" into sustainable fabrics?

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According to a new study published in the British journal Nature and sustainability on the 16th, a team of scientists from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) reported a new developed polyethylene textile fabric with low environmental footprint.

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The rise of textile and clothing industry has played an important role in the development of economy and people's livelihood, but the problem of pollution also follows. At present, fashion industry (textile and garment industry) has become the second largest polluting industry in the world, next only to oil and gas industry. This is because the textile industry consumes a lot of water and generates millions of tons of waste, which accounts for 5% to 10% of the global greenhouse gas emissions each year. Maintenance of textile equipment usually consumes more energy and water than manufacturing.

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This time, using standard textile processes and equipment, MIT scientist sfortrana poliskina and his colleagues produced fibers, yarns and fabrics made of polyethylene (PE). The polyethylene is fully recyclable and is one of the most commonly used plastics today. The team found that even without any chemical treatment, these fabrics also have the characteristics of stain resistance, good water absorption and rapid drying.

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This kind of polyethylene yarn can be colored with environmental protection technology, which can avoid a large amount of toxic wastewater produced by traditional process. The research team also found that the use of polyethylene conversion fabric can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of previous use.

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According to earlier data, the textile and clothing industry produces about 20% of the global wastewater every year, and the greenhouse gas emissions of the textile and garment industry have exceeded the total emissions of international flights and shipping. Polyethylene is a kind of thermoplastic resin made by polymerization of ethylene. It is odorless, nontoxic and wax like. Its main characteristics are low temperature resistance, excellent electrical insulation, good chemical stability, and can withstand most acid and alkali corrosion (except for acids with oxidation properties). Therefore, it is widely used in industry, but it has not been used in textile industry Industry as fabric.

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The latest fabrics made from polyethylene will have "unique" advantages in a range of applications and consumer markets in industries such as textile manufacturing, the researchers said.

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Fashion industry has become the second largest polluting industry in the world. It consumes water, produces a lot of waste and emits greenhouse gases. From cloth to clothing, the fashion industry creates a demand for beauty, but also consumes the beauty of nature. This time, researchers have produced a fabric made of polyethylene. This kind of common material can be transformed into environment-friendly fabric to avoid a large amount of toxic wastewater produced by traditional process.

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The researchers believe it has unique advantages. But the problem is that being environmentally friendly may not be attractive to consumers. If the majority of fashion brands and consumers are willing to accept the plain polyethylene material and put it on, I am afraid it is not a simple thing.

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