黑料网

News

Sustainable solutions can transform textile waste to new possibilities: Shubhajit Dutta

In an era where fashion waste is mounting as a global environmental concern, Shubhajit Dutta, Doctoral Researcher in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems of Aalto University is working on sustainable textile recycling.
Person in a white coat holding fabric swatches beside mannequins displaying various garments including yellow, blue, and grey.
Photos: Ritesh Sharma & Vafa Fakhri

Working within the Textile Chemistry Group, is contributing to the TexirC (Tackling Textile Circularity Challenges) Project funded by , focusing on developing innovative solutions to deal with textile waste.  He is working under the supervision of Prof. , Head of Textile Chemistry group.

Person in white lab coat stands with arms crossed in a modern laboratory surrounded by equipment.
Shubhajit at ABio, Aalto University

鈥檚 research is centered on creating an efficient color-stripping process that removes stubborn reactive dyes from textile waste鈥攑articularly cellulose-based fabrics such as cotton. By doing so, the fabrics can be effectively recycled through mechanical or chemical processes, reducing the need for virgin raw materials and minimizing waste disposal.

Person holding black and beige fabric swatches in a laboratory, wearing a white lab coat with a name badge.
Shubhajit with reactive dyed dark colored cotton waste (left) and color stripped (right) recycled fabrics

鈥淓ach year, a huge amount of textiles ends up as waste. Only a small fraction of these are truly recycled due to the lack of effective processes to handle the composite and multi-material nature of clothes,鈥 explained. 鈥淚 am addressing this pressing issue by developing techniques that can strip colors from fabrics, producing suitable feedstock for new textiles while promoting a circular economy.鈥

A scientist in a lab coat using a pipette to add liquid into a conical flask containing red fluid.
Shubhajit鈥檚 regular work at lab

His approach involves testing common pulp-bleaching agents for color stripping and optimizing treatment conditions to maximize efficiency while ensuring sustainability. The aim is to create a scalable method that the industry can adopt, enabling textiles to be reused rather than discarded.

A scientist in a lab coat and blue gloves is holding two beakers, one with yellow liquid and one with orange liquid.
Shubhajit with colored solution (right) and color stripped solution (left)

, who holds an M.Sc. (Tech) in Chemical Engineering from Aalto University, completed his master鈥檚 thesis under the FinnFiberColor Project, which focused on sustainable coloration methods.  He has conducted his M. Sc. thesis under the supervision of Prof. , Head of Textile Chemistry group. His academic journey and ongoing research highlight a consistent dedication to tackling textile sustainability challenges.

A scientist in a lab coat holds a flask with red liquid and samples of dark, grey, and green fabrics in a laboratory.
Shubhajit with colored solution (left) and dyed waste fabrics (left)

By advancing techniques in color stripping, Shubhajit鈥檚 work is paving the way for innovative recycling practices that transform textile waste into a valuable resource. His research not only addresses environmental concerns but also contributes to reshaping the future of the fashion and textile industries toward circularity and sustainability.

  • Updated:
  • Published:
Share
URL copied!

Read more news

Companies report on cybersecurity
Research & Art Published:

Companies disclose more on cybersecurity 鈥 but markets remain indifferent

U.S. companies are reporting on cybersecurity in greater detail, yet stock market reactions remain muted. A new study by the University of Vaasa and Aalto University shows that mandatory cybersecurity disclosure does not prompt reactions from investors or stock analysts. Instead, the main benefits appear to materialise within firms themselves.
Soldiers in camouflage in a forest, face of a female soldier in the foreground
Awards and Recognition, Research & Art Published:

Yasmin Najjar鈥檚 short film TJ28 selected for Cannes鈥 La Cinef section

For the second consecutive year, a short film from Aalto University has been selected for the student film section at the Cannes Film Festival.
Research & Art Published:

The PDF files in the Aalto research portal are not loading

The PDF files in the ACRIS research information system鈥檚 research portal (research.aalto.fi) are currently not loading. The issue is being investigated.
Three people talk at a round table; woman holds a cup, phone nearby, tech wall behind
Research & Art Published:

How to attract employees back to the office

Return-to-office policies are popular among employers, but securing employee cooperation hinges on offering them a fair exchange in return for accepting less autonomy.