Since then, after an out-of-the-blue request to take a look at textile recycling, he’s been working on new ways to separate polymers at the molecular level using enzymes derived from modified bacteria – and started his business using a patented process to extract PET plastic from PET-containing materials to give virgin-grade PET resins to make high quality polyester textile fibres and yarns.
In this engaging podcast, Akshay reveals to Mike Schragger how he has built up and developed the business from scratch and how his technology – if adopted widely – could also play an important role in combatting microplastic pollution by keeping used polyester clothing out of landfill.
“I believe by 2030 that all our clothes will be made with recycled materials,” he tells us, saying that many other large stakeholders already have plans in place to reach these same, very ambitious goals. “We have a very robust plan to do this.”
“Our vision is to build large-scale facilities that look like refineries, might seem like refineries, but actually process clothing instead of oil,” he says.
It will obviously need serious and significant investment to get the technology working on this type of commercial scale. Certainly, the project would be looking at billions of dollars in funding. So, speaking to investors, does Akshay really think this is possible?
Click on the link below to find out more about what he believes will be the new challenges for the textile industry when it comes to recycling significant volumes of polyester clothing – one of which will be to develop the right engineering process – that can also make money.
