New eco-friendly textile design process
In the carpet industry sustainability gets more and more important in Europe and in the USA because there are severe sustainable restrictions for carpets. In order for carpets to be recyclable, the design process needs to be updated to include more recyclable materials. Another consideration is that layered carpets need to be solidly bonded while in use, but still easy to dismantle for recycling. The EU-funded ECOMETEX (Ecodesign methodology for recyclable textile coverings used in the European construction and transport industry) project created a new design methodology that will optimise the cost effectiveness and eco-efficiency of textile coverings such as carpeting. The project team applied the methodology to create innovative, recyclable carpet textiles. It proposed an eight-step design methodology, articulating and developing several tools needed for the process. Updated product concepts for two different types of commercially available carpeting were completed using the new design methodology. The second focus of the project was on recyclable carpet design. ECOMETEX worked on the development of a method for the production of recyclable textile floor coverings and simultaneously with the practical transfer and development of a recyclable carpet design. The new products were tested on an industrial scale. Lastly, the developed method was transferred to the transport sector, with plans to support applications in other industries. The overall progress of the project could potentially make more industries greener, support environmental targets and render European manufacturing more competitive.
Keywords
Textile, manufacturing, ECOMETEX, carpets, ecometex, recycling, floor coverings
