Recycled Pet Chips 101: Explained

Polyester is one of the world’s most popular textiles and it is used in thousands of different consumer and industrial applications. Worldwide, more than 22.67 billion tonnes of polyester clothes are produced each year.

But, What Is Polyester?
Polyester is the most common form of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and highly recyclable plastic material. It's a polymer made up of two monomers: mono ethylene glycol and purified terephthalic acid.

It is a man-made, synthetic fibre derived from a chemical reaction between petroleum, air and water. As a result, it is not biodegradable and will remain in a landfill for years unless recycled. When polyester is laundered, it also sheds microplastic strands, which end up in our streams, oceans, and eventually our food chains after being devoured by fish and other aquatic organisms. Considering this, the production of virgin polyester is exceedingly unsustainable.
So, what is the best alternative to Virgin Polyester? Well, it is Recycled Polyester!

What Is Recycled Polyester And How Is It Made?
Often called RPET with the “R” standing for recycled and the ”PET” for polyethene terephthalate. Recycled polyester is a favoured alternative to virgin polyester and is made mostly from plastic bottles, packaging, textile waste or fishnets retrieved from the ocean. The steps involved in the production process are:

• 1. The PET bottles that have been collected are sanitised, dried, and crushed into small fragments.


• 2. The chips are heated and spun into yarn threads using a spinneret.


• 3. This yard is made up of spools.


• 4. The fibre is then crimped to create a fluffy woolly texture.


• 5. After that, the yarn is baled, coloured, and woven into polyester fabric.

Is Recycled Polyester Clothing Eco-Friendly Over Virgin Polyester?
Polyester accounts for more than half of the fibres used in the textile and garment industries; replacing it with a recycled substitute will immediately reduce reliance on fossil fuels, will consume less energy, and emit fewer carbon emissions. Waste is diverted from the oceans and landfills by making RPET from plastic bottles, fishing nets, and textile waste. Hence, the creation of a popular non-virgin alternative will have a positive impact on future energy needs.
Recycled polyester fabric contributes to the reduction of seismic waste in the fashion industry, which disposes of approximately 48 million mt of clothing each year.
Many studies have shown that textiles or garments created from recycled polyester can be recycled repeatedly without compromising the fibre's characteristics and attributes. If this is adopted at the industry level, polyester can be recycled and utilised for a considerably longer period, resulting in a closed-loop system — one of the most important aspects of implementing a sustainable manufacturing system.

Global Benefits Of Using Recycled Over Virgin Polyester
Recycling is motivated by environmental considerations. Environmentally, reused materials use waste and reduce the consumption of new raw materials. Recycled polyester has nearly the same qualities as virgin polyester, but with substantial environmental benefits. Moreover, there is NO difference to the end product and that’s why it is the best alternative to virgin polyester. It is long-lasting, lightweight, crease-resistant, colourfast, quick-drying and stain-resistant. This is why polyester is commonly used in all textiles, including home textiles, fashion, sports and outdoor clothes, etc.

The reduction of bottles in landfills is a significant advantage of using recycled polyester versus virgin polyester. Plastic bottles are reused in the recycled polyester fibre production process, which has significant benefits for minimising contamination of the ground, as well as water and air pollution. This also means that less petroleum is utilised in the production of recycled polyester. When compared to virgin polyester, recycled polyester results in significant energy savings during the fibre production process. Choosing recycled polyester over virgin polyester results in a 20% reduction in water use and a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions.
At Sanathan Textiles, the recycled polyester yarn that we produce is through a technologically advanced and environmentally conscious manufacturing setup.

About Sanathan Textiles
Sanathan Textiles is a global supplier of Cotton Yarns, Polyester Yarns and Yarns for Technical Textiles. With 3 yarn business verticals, we offer a wide variety of yarns that are used by various sectors and industries, across applications and end-uses. Technologically advanced and environmentally conscious manufacturing setup enables us to offer customers value-added yarns, niche yarns, functional yarns and a wide range of coloured yarns. Sanathan Textiles is committed to providing Value added Innovative Yarns for the Fabric of our Lives.