Production and Optimization of ALT TEX's PLA Based Biodegradable Textile

ALT TEX PLA 基生物降解纺织品的生产和优化

• 批准号: 556544-2020
• 负责人: Sheikhzadeh, Mehdi
• 金额: $ 1.82万
• 依托单位: Lambton College of Applied Arts and Technology
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=706240
• 关键词: Production; Optimization; ALT; TEX; PLA

With the fashion industry projected to account for a quarter of the world's greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the sustainable fashion sector has witnessed over 450% growth since 2016. With limited sustainable material solutions, the current widely adopted solution, recycled polyester, is facing "greenwashing" backlash due to its lack of recyclability and contribution to microplastic pollution. Furthermore, one company, NatureWorks, has attempted to create a more sustainable alternative using PLA. By adjusting the ratio of lactide isomers within the polymerization process (D vs L-Lactide), the PLA is created with variable molecular weights and crystallinity. While this improves PLA's heat processability, industry adoption has been poor as this process alone does not significantly improve the durability and mechanical properties required for apparel lifecycle. Toronto-based ALT TEX Inc. is a business-to-business biomaterials company, creating sustainable fabric solutions for eco-conscious fashion retailers. The company operates through a closed-loop model, sourcing organic and recyclable feedstock for conversion into synthetic and natural apparel filaments and fibres. These filaments are subsequently manufactured into high-quality apparel-grade fabrics that are biodegradable and carbon neutral, to remedy the substantial ecological footprint of the fashion industry. Through the addition of a novel combination of bio-additives and nanocomposites, this project aims to optimize PLA for apparel manufacturing by improving its resistance to thermal and physical degradation - properties that have thus far rendered the polymer unsuitable for textile applications. Through the collaboration between Lambton College's Manufacturing Innovation Centre and ALT TEX, this project aims to test various ratios of the proposed additives to optimize and produce apparel-grade PLA pellets (modified from pre-purchased PLA) which can be subsequently manufactured into fabric. The research is expected to support product development for ALT TEX's $7 billion sustainable synthetic fabric line, expected to launch with the next 2 years, while growing Canada's sustainable chemistry portfolio.

预计到 2050 年，时尚行业将占全球温室气体排放量的四分之一，自 2016 年以来，可持续时尚行业已增长了 450% 以上。由于可持续材料解决方案有限，目前广泛采用的解决方案——再生聚酯纤维正面临“由于缺乏可回收性和造成微塑料污染，“绿色清洗”遭到强烈反对。此外，NatureWorks 公司尝试使用 PLA 创造一种更可持续的替代品。通过调整聚合过程中丙交酯异构体的比例（D 丙交酯与 L 丙交酯），可产生具有可变分子量和结晶度的 PLA。虽然这提高了 PLA 的热加工性能，但行业采用率一直很低，因为仅此工艺并不能显着提高服装生命周期所需的耐用性和机械性能。 总部位于多伦多的 ALT TEX Inc. 是一家 B2B 生物材料公司，为具有生态意识的时尚零售商打造可持续面料解决方案。该公司通过闭环模式运营，采购有机和可回收原料，将其转化为合成和天然服装长丝和纤维。这些长丝随后被制造成可生物降解且碳中和的高质量服装级面料，以弥补时尚业的巨大生态足迹。 通过添加生物添加剂和纳米复合材料的新型组合，该项目旨在通过提高其耐热性和物理降解性（迄今为止使该聚合物不适合纺织应用的特性）来优化服装制造中的PLA。通过兰姆顿学院制造创新中心和 ALT TEX 之间的合作，该项目旨在测试所提议的添加剂的各种比例，以优化和生产服装级 PLA 颗粒（由预购的 PLA 改性而成），随后可以将其制造成织物。该研究预计将支持 ALT TEX 价值 70 亿美元的可持续合成织物系列的产品开发，该系列预计将在未来 2 年内推出，同时扩大加拿大的可持续化学产品组合。