WashU engineers develop fully recyclable protein-based textile fibers
By
Leah Shaffer
A baker's-dozen of insight crammed into one ring.
Summary
Chemical engineers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a synthetic protein fiber called SAM (silk-amyloid-mussel protein hybrid) that can be easily recycled and reused without losing its original strength and properties. The engineered protein polymer addresses the textile industry's massive waste problem, where only about 12% of fiber materials are currently recycled, and synthetic fibers shed microplastics into oceans during wash cycles. The material can be dissolved in a solvent and remade, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional textiles.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe textile industry produces a substantial portion of the world's waste. Only about 12% of fiber materials are recycled.
During every wash cycle, synthetic fibers shed microplastics that are flushed down the drain and eventually enter aquatic environments.
Increasing textile recycling alone won't solve...
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