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What is Compostable Polyester? | CELYS™
With sustainability becoming the order of the day, do you ever feel like you should be doing more? With so much at stake, is it not imperative that everyone contribute? Whether it is by using less, recycling more, or going green, we need all hands on deck!
The textile industry is undergoing a significant shift in practices. As the largest contributor to plastic pollution in the world, there are no surprises there. Plastic polymers continue to swamp ecosystems for hundreds of years, posing threats not just to humans but to other wildlife and marine life, too.
Consumers around the world are becoming eco-conscious and are asking the fashion world to do their part in helping combat the problem. In response, the industry has come up with a game-changer in the fashion world: the compostable polyester fibre!
What Exactly is Compostable Polyester?
To put simply, any polyester fabric that degrades completely into simple natural compounds at a consistent rate is “Compostable”. It is designed to break down into organic matter when exposed to the conditions of composting. It does not leave any toxic chemicals or residue, such as microplastics, behind.
For it to break down completely, certain conditions have to be provided. Industrial composting is known to be the fastest way of biodegradation, followed by other more time-consuming ways of biodegradation, e.g. home-composting, biodegradation in soil and biodegradation in marine water. Whatever the biodegradation, the result is almost always more than 90% biodegradation of the polyester in a given period of time.
Compostable polyester is an eco-friendly alternative that has provided us with a solution to serious environmental concerns.
CELYSTM Compostable Fibre
INTIMITI Australia has been hard at work and has come up with the groundbreaking fully compostable CELYSTM fibre. This innovative novel polyester has the potential to revolutionise the textile industry and solve all its environmental concerns.
CELYS™ is a commercially compostable polyester fibre and it meets both the ASTM D6400 standard in the United States and the EN13432 standard in European countries.
Biodegradation of CELYSTM compostable fibre occurs in two stages:
- The larger polyester macromolecules break down into smaller simpler molecules (either monomers, dimers, or oligomers), through the process of hydrolysation. This process is sped up by the enzymes or acids excreted by microorganisms.
- The next step is then the assimilation of the small molecules by micro-organisms into carbon dioxide, water vapour, and biomass.
The first step, i.e., the cleavage of the polymer backbone, is a slow process, which determines the whole biodegradation rate. The ester linkages of PET are very stable chemically. Because of this characteristic, hydrolysation, also called the cleavage of the ester linkages, is very difficult and slow to obtain. This explains why PET shows little tendency to biodegrade.
After the biodegradation takes place, all that CELYS™ leaves behind is CO₂, H₂O, and biomass. The entire process takes less than 180 days and leaves no plastic residue behind.
What Makes CELYSTM Special?
While sustainability was the main objective behind the production of CELYSTM compostable fibre, the professionals at INTIMITI made no compromise on the quality of the end product. CELYSTM not only performs better than regular PET fibre but it does so in an eco-friendly way.
It has a soft and natural feel to it.
CELYS™ polyester has a unique molecular structure which provides it with a cottony touch. This biodegradable polyester is softer than normal PET giving it a luxurious feel.
It has low pilling.
The fabric is resistant to the formation of pills, which are small, tangled balls of fibre on its surface. It is engineered to minimise pilling that occurs due to friction and wear and tear, resulting in a smoother and more durable fabric appearance over time.
A biodegradable polyester that has natural wicking & breathability.
The fibre is processed to have naturally formed channels inside, which can quickly carry away moisture from the skin of the user providing great breathability.
It is quick to dry
CELYS™exhibits quick-drying capabilities, which are further helped by its numerous natural channels that facilitate faster evaporation.
It can be dyed at low temperatures
CELYS™ fibre can be dyed at 100°C, either through cationic dyes or medium and low energy disperse dyes, giving it an edge over normal PET fibres.
It has hydrophilicity
CELYS™’s hydrophilicity means that the fibre has a natural affinity for water. This allows it to quickly absorb moisture from its surroundings.
Contribution to a Circular Economy and Sustainable Practices
Compostable polyester, such as CELYS™, is a driving force towards the concept of a circular economy, especially within the textile industry. The main idea behind a circular economy is to minimise waste. At the same time, it aims to reuse, recycle, and regenerate materials throughout their lifecycle.
The biodegradability of CELYSTM is what helps it contribute significantly to a circular economy. Traditional polyester, that is PET, is derived from non-renewable fossil fuels. It then stays in the ecosystems for hundreds of years getting accumulated in the form of plastic waste. On the other hand, compostable polyester fibres like CELYS™ break down naturally into non-toxic components through industrial composting. This allows the organic matter from these fibres to be reintegrated into the ecosystem, closing the loop and reducing harm to the environment.
Compostable polyester also promotes eco-friendly consumption patterns. Consumers have been given an alternative to single-use, non-biodegradable textiles.
Final word
Compostable polyester, exemplified by CELYS™, offers a multitude of benefits that are way beyond what conventional PET can offer. The simple fact that it is biodegradable takes care of the pressing issue of plastic pollution, thus minimising our carbon footprint on the planet. To top it all it contributes to a circular economy by promoting resource efficiency and sustainable practices throughout its lifecycle.
We must take up sustainable alternatives in all aspects of our lives, including the clothes we wear and the textiles we use. By choosing compostable polyester products like CELYS™, individuals, businesses, and the fashion industry as a whole, can support the transition towards a more environmentally conscious society. Together, we can choose wisely and show our concern for the future generations.
