Development of enzyme-based biotechnology to support the wool industry transition to a circular system
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Abstract
There are increasing demands for textile materials to be sustainable and recyclable for circularity, and a reduction of negative impacts to the environment. Enzyme-based biotechnology could provide an alternative solution to improve wool fibre performance and limit the impact of wool processing on the environment. The current research explored biotechnology for in-situ enzyme-catalysed coloration of wool, and for recycling and reuse of low value wool and/or post-manufacture waste wool feedstocks to extract wool polypeptides for their applications. The extracted polypeptides were utilised for grafting on virgin wool fabrics to improve shrink-resist property of wool fabrics during washing and remain recyclable due to no added on chemical additives or synthetic polymer. Results obtained are being further developed within an ongoing BBSRC-funded project ENZBIOTEX (BB/X011623/1) for developing enzyme-based biotechnology for fibre-to-fibre recycling. Post-consumer/manufacture or waste wool/bast fibre blended upholstery fabrics are currently being explored for recyclability and reuse by separating the fibre components and re-processing extracted bast fibres back to fabric production. In addition, the project has also demonstrated the potential to extract the dyes from waste fabrics and reuse for textile coloration. The outcomes from the projects could support the transition of the textile industry to a circular system.