Scientists have developed a new method to convert cotton recycling into materials such as spandex, nylon and more

An estimated 25 million tons of cotton textiles are discarded worldwide each ye.

"Considering that cotton is a renewable resource, this is not particularly energy-efficient," says Edvin Ruuth, a researcher in chemical engineering at Lund Universi.

Where Edvin Ruuth works, Lund's Department of Chemical Engineering has accumulated a wealth of knowledge about the use of microorganisms and enzymes, e.

Now, researchers have also succeeded in breaking down the plant fiber in cotton -- cellulose -- into smaller componen.

"The secret lies in finding the right combination of temperature and sulfuric acid concentration, " Ruuth not.

Glucose is a very flexible molecule and has many potential uses, Ruuth sa.

From an ordinary sheet, they extracted 5 liters of sugar liquid, which contained the equivalent of 33 sugar cubes per lit.

One of the challenges is to overcome the complex structure of cotton cellulo.

“Cotton is unique in that its cellulose has a high degree of crystallini.

Ruuth said the concept of hydrolyzing pure cotton itself is not new, it was discovered in the 19th centu.

"Many people who try end up not using a lot of cotton, and others do better, but the cost and environmental impact are not sustainable," Ruuth sa.

When he started making dextrose from fabric a year ago, the rate of return was a paltry three to four perce.

Once the recipe is complete, its use will be relatively simple and inexpensi.

To make this process a reality, however, logistics must play a ro.

Fortunately, a recycling centre unlike anywhere else in the world is currently under construction in Malmö, where sensors are used to automatically sort laund.