Italy's Fulgar uses BASF tech to develop sustainable Q-Cycle yarn

The new eco-sustainable Q-Cycle yarn is the result of the interaction between BASF’s ChemCycling recycling project and Fulgar’s textile skills and experience. ChemCycling makes it possible to re-use fossil raw materials at the end of their lifecycle in their initial component forms, displaying the same properties as the virgin project without using non-renewable sources like oil. This unique process is carried out and assessed on the basis of a Mass Balance approach, Fulgar said in a press release.

Q-Cycle is an innovative post-consumption recycled polyamide 6,6 offering the same functional and aesthetic benefits of lightness, strength and resistance but in a greener form. It can be used to produce high quality fabrics and is the ideal solution for all textile applications – it can be processed with ease like a normal polyamide, so it combines with all fibres.

The technology can be applied to all plastic waste that cannot be mechanically recycled, like tires at end of life. Fulgar has decided to use this new material, as it is widely present and is usually incinerated, resulting in significant CO2 emissions, the release added.