BluePlasma Power, a company based in Espaitec, has validated, together with the companies Girsa, Hercha Química and Textils Mora, an advanced thermochemical route for the valorization of post-consumer textile waste, based on plasma-assisted gasification integrated with purification and chemical synthesis stages.
In the project Tex2olefin, promoted by Blue Plasma Power, Girsa, Hercha Química y Mora Textiles together with the collaboration ofTechnological Institute of Packaging, Transport and Logistics (ITENE)and with the financial support of IVACE+i Innovation, has achieved vIdentify an advanced thermochemical route for the valorization of post-consumer textile wasteBased on plasma-assisted gasification integrated with purification and chemical synthesis stages, the process achieves high conversion rates and stable, reproducible operation. It yields synthesis gas of controlled composition, suitable for transformation into methanol and olefins, including higher-value olefins for industrial applications, demonstrating the technical feasibility of a complete textile/synthesis gas/olefins chain.
The initiative Tex2olefin has enabled the implementation and validation of an innovative plasma-assisted gasification technology for obtaining syngas with high conversion and selectivityminimizing undesirable byproducts. In addition to developing and validating technologies for converting syngas obtained from pretreated textile waste into recycled olefins through chemical synthesis steps using methanol and light olefins.
Tex2olefin Results
Regarding the project results Tex2olefin has developed and validated pretreatment processes that remove contaminants and impurities with efficiencies exceeding 80%.These results can be extrapolated to other valorization routes to improve the quality of the final materials. In thermochemical valorization, an efficient and reproducible plasma torch-assisted gasification process has been established for pretreated textile waste, generating syngas of controlled composition with high conversion. Furthermore, this syngas is suitable for chemical synthesis processes that produce methanol, followed by light olefins and, subsequently, heavy olefins for industrial applications.
Recycled olefins obtained in synthesis processes through methanol have functional properties suitable for industrial formulations and coatings, as well as potential for valorization of the solid gasification fraction (solid ash fraction) in cardboard and textile products.
Competitive advantage in the market
The project Tex2olefin has demonstrated the technical and economic viability of converting post-consumer textile waste, destined for landfill or incineration, into secondary raw material, offering a new alternative for industrial valorization.
The material transformation process has been defined using a standardized and easily replicable scheme, which facilitates its direct implementation in existing industrial facilities and its adoption in different treatment plants without the need for specific development. This feature simplifies scaling up the process and applying it to other waste streams of a similar nature.
The project's differentiating value is consolidated in the Generation of a high-quality material that gives a second life to a previously inaccessible waste, effectively reducing disposal ratesAdditionally, this solution helps to reduce dependence on raw materials of fossil origin or of less sustainable origin, strengthening the capacity of the Valencian Community to supply the chemical industry with its own resources and moving towards a more circular and resilient production model.
Blue Plasma Power
Blue Plasma Power, Castellón-based firm located in podcastIt develops organic waste valorization technologies that, with less investment, double the efficiency of the most modern conventional technologies, and act as a carbon dioxide (CO2) sink.
