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Tonmoy Saha, a doctoral researcher in the Textile Chemistry Group at Aalto University, presented innovative findings on a promising new method for decolorizing dyed cotton textile waste. His work addresses one of the most significant challenges in achieving textile circularity: the removal of persistent reactive dyes that currently impede effective fiber-to-fiber recycling.

Saha highlighted that global textile production continues to rise, generating approximately 92 million tons of waste annually. Most of this waste ends up in landfills or is incinerated, while only about 1% is recycled back into new fibers. Factors such as sorting difficulties, impurities, blended materials, and the strong covalent bonds between reactive dyes and cotton fibers greatly limit recycling potential. His research offers solutions that directly target these issues.

In his presentation, titled “Decolorization of 100% Dyed Cotton Textile Waste,” Saha introduced a strategic chemical stripping process designed to effectively remove dyes from cotton fibers.

The study’s promising outcomes high decolorization efficiency, improved whiteness, and strong retention of mechanical properties highlight the method’s potential for scalable fiber-to-fiber recycling and for reducing the environmental footprint of dyed cotton waste.

Saha also noted that the process has been successfully scaled up to pilot level at KCL with the support of Valmet, demonstrating practical applicability beyond the laboratory.

He expressed his gratitude to CIMANET, Aalto University, Valmet, and KCL for their support in advancing this research.

The seminar marked an important step toward more sustainable textile waste management, offering renewed optimism for achieving circularity in cotton recycling and contributing to a more resource-efficient textile industry.