The FilamentFactory
IMAGO-Science Photo Library 
With the new filament product group EcoPET, The FilamentFactory GmbH (TFF), Bad Hersfeld/Germany, makes a contribution to the protection of the ecology and sustainability.
Using the patented CiClo additive technology from Intrinsic Advanced Materials, LLC., Gastonia, NC/USA, allows polyester (PET) fibers to degrade similarly, partly even better than, natural fibers.
With the use of this novel technology, the biodegradation process of PET fibers is accelerated, which in turn contributes to the reduction of plastic waste in landfills and plastic pollution from synthetic microfibers in our oceans. This technology can be used for virgin PET as well as rPET.
The long-term tests according to ASTM D5511 and ASTM D6691 in aerobic (seawater) as well as anaerobic environments (sewage sludge and landfill, respectively) show a biodegradation of more than 90% after a short period of time, while a standard PET hardly degrades significantly.
At the same time, ongoing research shows that EcoPET filaments exhibit no strength degradation after one year under normal storage conditions. The properties of the new high-performance functional multifilaments are comparable to current PET filament yarns. Strengths of 60 cN/tex with elongation at break of 20.0% and free shrinkage values (180°C; 15min) below 4% are achieved, enabling the production of textiles with special properties.
The new yarn family will be available in titers from 76-6,600 dtex and will also be offered with twist >S/Z60 depending on requirements.
With the use of this novel technology, the biodegradation process of PET fibers is accelerated, which in turn contributes to the reduction of plastic waste in landfills and plastic pollution from synthetic microfibers in our oceans. This technology can be used for virgin PET as well as rPET.
The long-term tests according to ASTM D5511 and ASTM D6691 in aerobic (seawater) as well as anaerobic environments (sewage sludge and landfill, respectively) show a biodegradation of more than 90% after a short period of time, while a standard PET hardly degrades significantly.
At the same time, ongoing research shows that EcoPET filaments exhibit no strength degradation after one year under normal storage conditions. The properties of the new high-performance functional multifilaments are comparable to current PET filament yarns. Strengths of 60 cN/tex with elongation at break of 20.0% and free shrinkage values (180°C; 15min) below 4% are achieved, enabling the production of textiles with special properties.
The new yarn family will be available in titers from 76-6,600 dtex and will also be offered with twist >S/Z60 depending on requirements.
