CiCLO® technology, a patented sustainable textile ingredient, is a beacon of hope for our environment. It’s added to recycled or virgin polyester and nylon during melt extrusion, creating biodegradable spots in the polymer matrix. These spots act as pathways, allowing naturally occurring microorganisms to mineralize CiCLO® fibers into essential natural elements, contributing to a healthier planet.
Long-term studies prove that CiCLO® polyester and nylon biodegrade faster than untreated polyester and nylon. Many factors influence how quickly biodegradation may occur, which can be described as the pace of nature.
Rest assured, CiCLO® technology is rigorously tested at 3rd party labs. These tests are conducted in various environments, including seawater, anaerobic landfill conditions, natural soil, and wastewater sludge. This ensures the reliability and effectiveness of our product, even in the most challenging situations.
Like all inherently biodegradable materials, CiCLO® fibers will only biodegrade when exposed to moisture and microbes over time. Finished fabrics and products maintain durability and performance characteristics.
Benefits
- Non-toxic to marine life
- Easy to implement in existing manufacturing.
- Maintains integrity of fibers, no loss of durability or performance
- Only activated in conditions where biodegradation can occur
- Fibers and yarns are traceable
How does it work
CiCLO® additive is thoroughly blended with the base polymer while in molten form during melt and extrusion to create countless biodegradable spots in the matrix of the plastic. These spots act as pathways enabling microorganisms to break down and digest CiCLO® fibers, producing essential natural elements.
When does it work
The mechanism is only activated under conditions that allow biodegradation – access to moisture and an abundance of microbes over an extended period. CiCLO® fabrics will not biodegrade or prematurely deteriorate on a warehouse shelf while used or during customary care, just like inherently biodegradable fabrics made from natural fibers like cotton or wool will not.
Why use it
Fiber fragments shed from synthetic fabrics made with CiCLO® technology won’t persist in the environment forever, unlike other synthetics.
The CiCLO® solution helps bridge ideal industry-wide goals — 100% prevention of plastic pollution and completely closed loops — with current reality. No suitable substitutions are available at scale today to replace the synthetic fibers used in 60% of global textile production. Almost all textiles unavoidably shed, and options to recover the fragmented fibers are extremely limited. Once these tiny plastic microfibers become environmental pollutants, they can’t be recaptured.
They are prolific and omnipresent, including in the air, wastewater treatment plants, soil, aquatic environments, landfills, and in the bloodstreams and significant organs of humans.
To identify in-vehicle application opportunities, don’t hesitate to get in touch with bbed@designhmi.com, or for core material information, click https://ciclotextiles.com/.
