Researchers at the University of Warwick, in cooperation with clothing automation pioneer CreateMe Technologies, have created a groundbreaking thermoreversible adhesive technique that has the potential to alter the fashion industry.
The outcome of three years of rigorous study and supported by 19 patents, it promises to greatly increase the scalability of textile recycling, lowering waste and enhancing sustainability in the clothing production process. A research team led by Professor Remzi Becer and Dan Mackinnon, Ph.D., from Warwick’s Department of Chemistry, along with Yixin Liu, Ph.D., MS, a research scientist at CreateMe, has developed an adhesive that enables clothing to be bonded at low temperatures and then disassembled at high temperatures. This breakthrough directly tackles the long-standing problem of textile waste in the fashion sector, where 92 million tons of fabric are thrown away each year as a result of ineffective recycling procedures.
Professor Remzi Becer, The University of Warwick said, “This collaboration demonstrates how material science and automation can converge to address global sustainability challenges. The potential applications extend far beyond fashion, impacting industries such as healthcare, automotive, aerospace, and home goods.”
Fully automated bonded clothing assembly and deconstruction for recycling is made possible by this reversible adhesive technology. This disassembly procedure lowers the possibility of an unintentional failure before the garment reaches the end of its life by taking place at greater temperatures than usual washing and care procedures.
Cam Myers, Founder and CEO of CreateMe said “ CreateMe is uniquely positioned to transform how apparel is made. Our thermoreversible adhesive science paves the way for enhanced recycling opportunities, as part of our overall automated assembly manufacturing process, producing apparel in-market and on-demand.
“The timing could not be greater with the Extended Producer Responsibility legislation currently being enacted in Europe and in certain U.S. states that bring enhanced requirements for end of life management of apparel products. This is a game changer for enabling the wider adoption of locally produced apparel and to facilitate recycling.”
Through beta testing and licensing opportunities, CreateMe and Warwick are actively collaborating with leading companies in the industry to commercialize this innovative adhesive technology and expand its uses outside the garment sector. This scalable strategy demonstrates the adhesive’s potential to tackle global sustainability issues, revolutionizing garment industry.
