Innovation


Helping polyester fibre-to-fibre recycling with new chain extender additive from Nexam


Henrik Bernquist, Nexam Chemical. Image: Nexam


Nexam Chemical, a Swedish producer of reactive additives for polymer recycling, has developed Nexamite M992000 chain extender masterbatch which it says improves polyester fibre-to-fibre recycling. “One big problem in thermo-mechanical polyester textile recycling, is that when the polyester is recycled, the PET chains break down due to heat and mechanical stress,” said Henrik Bernquist, Business Manager at Nexam Chemical. “This leads to a reduction in molecular weight, which in turn causes inferior mechanical prop- erties (such as lower strength, durability, and processability) – basically it becomes weaker, harder to work with, and loses quality. This is very limiting for


fibre-to-fibre recycling and hence rPET from bottles is still used to a large extent and is down-cycled as a consequence.” Nexam’s new chain extender


was developed to address this issue. The masterbatch “brings back the strength and quality of the polyester, so it can be used again for better textile products instead of being downgraded or thrown away”, he said. The company’s Reactive


Recycling portfolio, which includes Nexamite M992000, are masterbatches that are added to the extruder at the recycling plant or to the extrud- er on the spinning line. When the masterbatch is added to the extruder together with the rPET/polyester it will react inside the extruder and


chain-extend (repair) the molecular weight. Other polyester chain


extenders in the market are multifunctional, and when used the polyester backbone becomes branched with the consequences that the fibre loses mechanical strength and is more difficult to spin, said Bernquist. “Our chain extender Nexamite M992000 offers purely linear chain extension as it is di functional, which keeps the linearity of the polyester backbone intact, increases the IV (intrinsic viscosity) of the polyester, without the draw- backs of the branching ones.” Nexam also produces


Nexamite M021200 linear IV enhancer in a PET carrier. • www.nexamchemical.com


Matrix circular fashion project focuses on Mediterranean region


The Matrix project officially launched with a meeting on 26-27 November at the Igualada Fashion Lab in Spain, during which the initiative’s vision, structure, and operational activities were presented. The main objectives of the project, which is funded by the European Union through the Interreg Next Med program, include transforming the fashion design sector in the Mediterranean by transitioning to circular and sustainable production models. At the heart of the initiative will be the


Circular Fashion Design Toolbox, a package of practical tools dedicated to three key areas; water and energy management, materials, and digitalisation. This toolbox will be integrated into a training program for SMEs and industry stakeholders, enabling them to adopt more circular design and production methods. Additionally, 90 companies will test the


tools, and 40 will participate in matchmak- ing events with sustainable solution providers.


Matrix intends to foster cross-border


collaboration through study visits, peer- review missions, and a matchmaking event in Turkey. These activities will contribute to the


creation of the Mediterranean Pact for Circular Fashion, a regional alliance designed to support long-term cooperation and policy alignment in the region. The project, which has a budget of


€1.9m, is scheduled to end in March 2028. •www.interregnextmed.eu/projects/matrix


Textiles Loop • Autumn 2025 33


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