{"id":170370,"date":"2025-07-01T12:19:05","date_gmt":"2025-07-01T18:19:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/?p=170370"},"modified":"2025-07-10T11:36:00","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T17:36:00","slug":"circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/climate-and-sustainability\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\/","title":{"rendered":"Reinventing PET: Mexican Science Gives Plastic a Second Life"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In 2023, <strong>Mexico used approximately 860,000 tons of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) packaging<\/strong>. About <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecoce.mx\/cifras_y_estadisticas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">63% of this material was recycled<\/a> and repurposed through <a href=\"\/en\/business-innovation\/circular-economy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">circular economy<\/a> strategies. However, during recycling, this <strong>thermoplastic polymer<\/strong> can lose its original properties, making it harder to reuse, for example, in carbonated beverage bottles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/tec.mx\/en\/our-faculty\/eic\/gabriel-luna\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gabriel<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/tec.mx\/es\/profesores\/eic\/gabriel-luna\"> Luna<\/a>, Distinguished Professor of Smart Biomaterials at the <a href=\"\/en\/tag\/institute-of-advanced-materials-for-sustainable-manufacturing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing<\/a> and the <a href=\"\/en\/tag\/school-of-engineering-and-sciences\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">School of Engineering and Sciences<\/a> at Tec de Monterrey, explains that <strong>PET\u2019s properties<\/strong> degrade due to factors like sun exposure, temperature changes, and UV rays, which make the plastic brittle, cloudy, and mechanically weaker. Additionally, thermal recycling can further exacerbate its condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Reinventar el PET: ciencia mexicana para un pl\u00e1stico con segunda vida \u00fatil\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dDBjWOaORls?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Audio and Subtitles in English<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Faced with this challenge, Luna and a team of researchers are working on a project focused on <strong>recycling PET into high-value fibers and filaments<\/strong> that can be used in various applications, such as manufacturing textiles with antimicrobial properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Luna emphasizes that the project\u2019s comprehensive strategy combines a scientific approach with recycling and circularity. \u201cOur proposal is unique because <strong>it merges common technologies with smart formulations<\/strong> that allow us to recover and enhance recycled PET.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture>\r\n                <source srcset=\"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/circular-pet1.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\">\r\n                <img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/circular-pet1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-170372\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/circular-pet1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/circular-pet1-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/circular-pet1-768x960.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\r\n            <\/picture><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nanotechnology and Additives for Circular PET<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Far2VdMo28c&amp;t=11s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">circular economy<\/a> principles, materials like PET can be kept in use for as long as possible, <strong>minimizing waste<\/strong> that harms the environment and <strong>reducing the need for virgin raw materials in product manufacturing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While recycling remains the best option, it often requires restoring some of the material\u2019s properties through the use of additive combinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The research team developed a formulation strategy\u2014currently in the patent process\u2014that uses <strong>metal oxide nanoparticles as additives<\/strong>. These particles must have specific sizes, shapes, and structures to ensure better chemical and physical compatibility with the polymer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not just about adding materials; with the right formulation, we can combine them to produce a synergistic effect that helps restore or even enhance the properties that had been lost,\u201d says Luna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These additives serve a dual purpose: they <strong>restore physical qualities<\/strong> like strength, rigidity, shine, and durability to PET while also giving it <strong>antibacterial and antimicrobial properties<\/strong>. What sets this approach apart is both the underlying technology and its lower cost compared to other options on the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Building on this formulation, the researchers focused on <strong>producing fibers and filaments<\/strong> that could be used to manufacture high-quality <a href=\"\/es\/divulgacion-ciencia\/textiles-de-polietileno-un-paso-de-la-moda-rapida-hacia-la-moda-sustentable\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">textiles<\/a>, wound-care materials such as <strong>patches and bandages<\/strong>, and even products with potential for <a href=\"\/en\/business-innovation\/what-is-additive-manufacturing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">3D printing<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture>\r\n                <source srcset=\"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/circular-pet2.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\">\r\n                <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/circular-pet2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-170373\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/circular-pet2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/circular-pet2-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/circular-pet2-768x960.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\r\n            <\/picture><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">National and International Collaboration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>J<strong>uan Carlos Tapia<\/strong>, an entrepreneur and scientist with nearly 30 years of experience in the textile industry and plastic waste recycling technologies, is one of Luna\u2019s key collaborators on this project. He provides access to a facility equipped with <strong>extrusion and injection molding machines<\/strong> used to produce the threads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The pilot phase of the project is taking place in Aguascalientes<\/strong>, where the researchers receive ground PET from recycling companies. They carry out a deep cleaning of the plastic and adjust its size to make it suitable as raw material. Then, they <strong>mix it with the additives and melt it down<\/strong>, followed by <strong>extrusion and injection processes to produce functional textile filaments<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Luna, <strong>the project could achieve circularity rates of 80 to 90% for this material<\/strong>. Additionally, at a pilot scale, <strong>up to 100 tons of PET could be recycled<\/strong> to evaluate the economic feasibility of the process, which could be scaled up if demand increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cCircularity means <strong>taking the material, processing it, using it, and trying to return it to the beginning<\/strong> in order to keep the cycle running for several loops,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Luna also highlights an international collaboration with researchers at the <strong>University of Texas at Austin<\/strong>, to whom they send material samples for reformulation aimed at <strong>textile and other industrial applications<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"\u00bfQu\u00e9 es la econom\u00eda circular? La clave para combatir la crisis clim\u00e1tica\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Far2VdMo28c?start=12&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Subtitles Available in English<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Focus on Microplastics and Non-Recycled PET<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While the project primarily focuses on <strong>circular PET<\/strong>, it also addresses <strong>microplastics<\/strong> generated from PET that is either not recycled or excessively used. In these cases, the goal is to <strong>provide an environmentally sound solution through degradation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Luna is also working with <a href=\"https:\/\/centrodelagua.tec.mx\/es\/semblanza\/dra-nancy-ornelas-soto\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nancy Ornelas<\/a>, a researcher at Tec\u2019s <a href=\"\/en\/tag\/water-center-for-latin-american-and-the-caribbean\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Water Center<\/a>, to develop strategies that help <strong>capture and break down microplastics<\/strong> produced from material that cannot be recycled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These processes can be carried out through <strong>catalysis and chemical reactions involving nanoparticles<\/strong> and specialized materials that promote the reintegration of microplastics into nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, Luna notes that the team is exploring circularity-based approaches for <strong>revaluing other types of plastic waste\u2014not just PET<\/strong>, but also polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and PVC. These plastics are more difficult to recycle, but they can be <strong>chemically broken down into compounds<\/strong> useful to various industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cToday, we\u2019re all thinking about recycling and reusing materials\u2014that\u2019s a crucial mindset. You don\u2019t have to be a scientist or work in tech. If we start reusing plastics and reducing their use at home, I believe that, together with scientists and companies, we can make <strong>real progress in reducing plastic pollution<\/strong>,\u201d says Luna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Did you find this story interesting? Would you like to publish it? Contact our content editor to learn more at&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:marianaleonm@tec.mx\">marianaleonm@tec.mx<\/a>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mexico is a global leader in PET recycling, with over 60% of bottles on the market being reclaimed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":47,"featured_media":170371,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[556],"tags":[174,110,135],"class_list":["post-170370","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-climate-and-sustainability","tag-circular-economy","tag-institute-of-advanced-materials-for-sustainable-manufacturing","tag-school-of-engineering-and-sciences"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v21.0 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Reinventing PET: Mexican Science Gives Plastic a Second Life | TecScience<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From recycled PET, researchers are developing high-value fibers and filaments with potential applications in the textile industry and healthcare sector.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/climate-and-sustainability\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Reinventing PET: Mexican Science Gives Plastic a Second Life\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"From recycled PET, researchers are developing high-value fibers and filaments with potential applications in the textile industry and healthcare sector.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/climate-and-sustainability\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"TecScience\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-07-01T18:19:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-07-10T17:36:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/circular-pet.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"750\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Ricardo Trevi\u00f1o\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Ricardo Trevi\u00f1o\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/climate-and-sustainability\\\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/climate-and-sustainability\\\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Ricardo Trevi\u00f1o\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/d0ed5b5fa0ab2c4754211e4addf201dc\"},\"headline\":\"Reinventing PET: Mexican Science Gives Plastic a Second Life\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-07-01T18:19:05+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-10T17:36:00+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/climate-and-sustainability\\\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":879,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/climate-and-sustainability\\\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/9\\\/2025\\\/07\\\/circular-pet.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Circular Economy\",\"Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing\",\"School of Engineering and Sciences\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Climate and Sustainability\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/climate-and-sustainability\\\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/climate-and-sustainability\\\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\\\/\",\"name\":\"Reinventing PET: Mexican Science Gives Plastic a Second Life | TecScience\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/climate-and-sustainability\\\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/climate-and-sustainability\\\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/9\\\/2025\\\/07\\\/circular-pet.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-07-01T18:19:05+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-10T17:36:00+00:00\",\"description\":\"From recycled PET, researchers are developing high-value fibers and filaments with potential applications in the textile industry and healthcare sector.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/climate-and-sustainability\\\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/climate-and-sustainability\\\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/climate-and-sustainability\\\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/9\\\/2025\\\/07\\\/circular-pet.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/9\\\/2025\\\/07\\\/circular-pet.jpg\",\"width\":750,\"height\":500,\"caption\":\"By processing and enhancing recycled PET with additives, it\u2019s possible to produce fibers and filaments useful for developing textiles with antimicrobial properties. (Photo: Getty Images)\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/climate-and-sustainability\\\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Reinventing PET: Mexican Science Gives Plastic a Second Life\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/\",\"name\":\"TecScience\",\"description\":\"-\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"TecScience\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/9\\\/2022\\\/11\\\/logo-negro-tecscience.svg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/9\\\/2022\\\/11\\\/logo-negro-tecscience.svg\",\"width\":250,\"height\":38,\"caption\":\"TecScience\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/d0ed5b5fa0ab2c4754211e4addf201dc\",\"name\":\"Ricardo Trevi\u00f1o\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/4bcc2569d80f3bc04d35c88e014da852d10420f44fbbf0158af3ce158042ba08?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/4bcc2569d80f3bc04d35c88e014da852d10420f44fbbf0158af3ce158042ba08?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/4bcc2569d80f3bc04d35c88e014da852d10420f44fbbf0158af3ce158042ba08?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Ricardo Trevi\u00f1o\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/tecscience.tec.mx\\\/en\\\/author\\\/rtrevino\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Reinventing PET: Mexican Science Gives Plastic a Second Life | TecScience","description":"From recycled PET, researchers are developing high-value fibers and filaments with potential applications in the textile industry and healthcare sector.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/climate-and-sustainability\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Reinventing PET: Mexican Science Gives Plastic a Second Life","og_description":"From recycled PET, researchers are developing high-value fibers and filaments with potential applications in the textile industry and healthcare sector.","og_url":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/climate-and-sustainability\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\/","og_site_name":"TecScience","article_published_time":"2025-07-01T18:19:05+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-07-10T17:36:00+00:00","og_image":[{"width":750,"height":500,"url":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/circular-pet.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Ricardo Trevi\u00f1o","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Ricardo Trevi\u00f1o","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/climate-and-sustainability\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/climate-and-sustainability\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\/"},"author":{"name":"Ricardo Trevi\u00f1o","@id":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/d0ed5b5fa0ab2c4754211e4addf201dc"},"headline":"Reinventing PET: Mexican Science Gives Plastic a Second Life","datePublished":"2025-07-01T18:19:05+00:00","dateModified":"2025-07-10T17:36:00+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/climate-and-sustainability\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\/"},"wordCount":879,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/climate-and-sustainability\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/circular-pet.jpg","keywords":["Circular Economy","Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing","School of Engineering and Sciences"],"articleSection":["Climate and Sustainability"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/climate-and-sustainability\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\/","url":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/climate-and-sustainability\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\/","name":"Reinventing PET: Mexican Science Gives Plastic a Second Life | TecScience","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/climate-and-sustainability\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/climate-and-sustainability\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/circular-pet.jpg","datePublished":"2025-07-01T18:19:05+00:00","dateModified":"2025-07-10T17:36:00+00:00","description":"From recycled PET, researchers are developing high-value fibers and filaments with potential applications in the textile industry and healthcare sector.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/climate-and-sustainability\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/climate-and-sustainability\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/climate-and-sustainability\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/circular-pet.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/circular-pet.jpg","width":750,"height":500,"caption":"By processing and enhancing recycled PET with additives, it\u2019s possible to produce fibers and filaments useful for developing textiles with antimicrobial properties. (Photo: Getty Images)"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/climate-and-sustainability\/circular-pet-for-textile-fiber-production\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Reinventing PET: Mexican Science Gives Plastic a Second Life"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/","name":"TecScience","description":"-","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/#organization","name":"TecScience","url":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/logo-negro-tecscience.svg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/logo-negro-tecscience.svg","width":250,"height":38,"caption":"TecScience"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/d0ed5b5fa0ab2c4754211e4addf201dc","name":"Ricardo Trevi\u00f1o","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4bcc2569d80f3bc04d35c88e014da852d10420f44fbbf0158af3ce158042ba08?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4bcc2569d80f3bc04d35c88e014da852d10420f44fbbf0158af3ce158042ba08?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4bcc2569d80f3bc04d35c88e014da852d10420f44fbbf0158af3ce158042ba08?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Ricardo Trevi\u00f1o"},"url":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/author\/rtrevino\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170370","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/47"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=170370"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170370\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/170371"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=170370"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=170370"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=170370"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}