In an attempt to make waste a resource, scientists at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) in Lithuania are exploring how textile waste can be converted into energy or incorporated into the production of cement and concrete. This would help reduce environmental pollution, support the circular economy and open new opportunities for industry.
While the production of alternative fuels from textile waste is still in its early stages in Lithuania and elsewhere, the potential of this area is increasingly being recognised.
Research analysing the interface of the textile and cement industries shows that adding 1.5% of recycled polyester fibre derived from discarded clothing can increase concrete strength by 15–20% and significantly improve freeze-thaw resistance.
The research, part of the project ‘Production of Alternative Fuel from Textile Waste in Energy-Intensive Industries (Textifuel)’, carried out by KTU and the Lithuanian Energy Institute, shows that textile ash can replace up to 7.5% of conventional cement and increase the compressive strength of cement samples by up to 16% under standard curing conditions.
Thermal treatment of textile waste at 300 °C in an inert environment produces carbon-rich granules with high calorific value. Their use as an alternative fuel could reduce reliance on fossil resources. However, as with other fuels, their combustion generates secondary waste – ash.
The mineral and chemical composition of ash varies depending on the type of fuel, which means its effect on the strength and durability of cementitious materials can differ widely.
This technological solution not only reduces CO₂ emissions during cement production but also provides an innovative and environmentally friendly approach to textile waste management.
The context: Managing textile waste remains a global challenge. Most textile products are still incinerated or landfilled, and only a small share is recycled or reused. In Europe, only a fraction of post-consumer textiles is collected separately, and just a few per cent of used clothing is transformed into new products – fibre-to-fibre recycling technologies are still emerging.
Currently, most recycled textile materials are repurposed into low-value products such as cleaning cloths, insulation or padding. Recycling synthetic clothing is particularly difficult due to the additives used in production, which complicate sorting and processing.
Microplastics are also released during washing or treatment. Because most garments consist of fibre blends, incineration and landfilling remain the most common disposal methods – yet direct incineration increases CO₂ emissions and environmental pollution.
