Dye removal process from a textile material and apparatus for removing dye from a textile

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a process and a plant for removing dyes from textile waste for recycling textile material, such as fabrics, yarns, filaments and garments. In more detail, the present invention relates to a process for recovering polyester material, as well as cellulosic materials, from dyed fabrics and garments. State of the art

[0002] The recycling of pre-consumer, post-industrial, post-consumer, used textiles and apparel, also known as "textile waste" or "fabric waste," has become a primary target in the textile industry; new and efficient recycling processes are being actively researched. One of the objectives is to provide processes for recycling materials that are present in widely used fabrics and textiles, such as polyester and cotton.

[0003] The challenges for the use of post-consumer textiles in these processes include contaminants that can cause chemical reactions that reduce the molecular weight of polyester, and residues of other materials that can weaken the fibers. A problem in recycling fabrics containing polyester or cotton lies, in fact, in the removal of contaminants, such as dyes and polyurethane materials (e.g., elastane filaments) from the polyester or cotton fibers and filaments of the fabric.

[0004] WO2022118244 discloses the recycling of waste polyester material, including textile waste, Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 7 / 79 2 / 67 Dissolving the polyester in a solution comprising hexafluoroisopropyl alcohol and a chlorinated hydrocarbon and / or an aromatic hydrocarbon. Prior to dissolution, a pretreatment with dichloromethane (DCM) is carried out to remove color and impurities from PET bottles and textile waste. This method does not provide effective and complete removal of dyes.

[0005] US2022169786 describes a method for producing a bleached polyester by removing a dye from a polyester with a bleaching agent containing a glycol ether-type compound having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of 160°C or higher, heating the bleaching agent to a temperature equal to or lower than the melting point of the polyester.

[0006] EP3699355 discloses a method and system for decolorizing waste textile materials, dyed with disperse dyes, in a hydrothermal environment, using magnetically charged dye-adsorbent materials. The textile materials are treated under agitation in a decolorization reactor containing water and magnetic activated carbon as dye-absorbing material, under autogenous pressure obtained by heating to approximately 100°C to 170°C. An ultrasonic generator is initiated to accelerate the release of dye molecules from the textile materials into the water. The dyes released by the polyester fibers are adsorbed by the magnetic activated carbon, which is collected by activating a magnetic field at the end of the process.

[0007] US4003881 refers to a process for recovering polyester polymer by removing dye from Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 8 / 79 3 / 67 dyed polyester fibers, subsequently dissolving the polyester fibers and then precipitating the polyester polymer for reuse. Summary of the invention.

[0008] In general, known methods result in partial degradation of the polyester polymeric material and / or cotton fibers and often only partial removal of the dyes; in particular, the applicant realized that operating under mild conditions is necessary to reduce the degradation of polyester and / or cotton. Polyester degradation can be detrimental to the possibility of reusing the recovered polyester material. Similarly, degradation of cotton fibers would compromise the mechanical properties and possibly also the appearance of yarns produced with recycled cotton fibers.

[0009] In particular, it would be very useful to have a process that could quickly remove all dyes, such as disperse dyes and vat dyes, and decorations, from a dyed or printed / decorated textile material, without degrading or damaging the polyester and / or cellulosic fibers included in the fabric.

[0010] Another problem is that polyester-based fabrics and clothing can often contain polyurethane material, either as elastane-type filaments in fabric yarns or as a printed layer on clothing as decoration, for example, in sportswear. The presence of elastomeric material can be a problem when polyester and / or cotton fibers are recycled.

[0011] One of the objectives of the present invention is to solve Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, p. 9 / 79 4 / 67 The above problem and provide a process for recycling textile waste comprising polyester and / or cellulosic fibers, particularly a process for removing dyes from waste polyester and / or cellulosic fibers, which provides a safe, easy and environmentally clean way of recovering polyester and / or cellulosic material from textile waste. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a process that allows the removal of dyes from textile waste, including polyester and / or cellulosic fibers, with reduced or no degradation of the polyester or cellulosic material. The particular objective of the present invention is to provide a process for removing dyes from textile waste in an environmentally friendly (i.e., green) way, i.e., a closed-loop process that can be carried out in a fully closed-loop plant (apparatus), wherein the solvent used (including water) is fully recovered and reused in the process.

[0012] The bleached materials can then be recycled in ways known, per se, in the art. For example, bleached polyester material can be recycled by depolymerizing the polyester or by recovering the polyester as staple fibers. Another preferred recycling process is the conversion of bleached PET and polyester materials into PET chips or granules that can be used in fiber spinning and / or molding processes, depending on the target field to be employed. Cellulosic fibers possibly present in textile waste can be removed from polyester filaments or fibers, for example, by chemical or enzymatic digestion. Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 10 / 79 5 / 67 of the cellulosic fibers.

[0013] Similarly, bleached cotton or cellulosic material can be recycled in a manner known per se, for example, by mechanically providing discontinuous cellulosic fibers, including regenerated cellulosic fibers such as cotton fibers or regenerated cotton fibers, which can be worked into a yarn.

[0014] In particular, in the case of pre-consumer material consisting of clothing or fabrics, said clothing or fabric may be bleached to the raw (undyed) state and recycled by subsequent dyeing or printing, or both, of the treated clothing.

[0015] The problem is solved by means of the process according to claim 1 and claim 2 and by an apparatus, i.e., a plant, according to claim 18. Detailed description

[0016] One of the objects of the invention is, therefore, a process for removing dye from a textile material, particularly a textile waste material, said textile material including a dye and at least 70% by weight of polyester fibers, or comprising a dye and at least 90% by weight of cellulosic fibers, said process comprising the following steps: (a) provide the said textile material and a suitable solvent to remove the said dye from the said fabric in an extraction chamber to provide a mixture of fabric and solvent; b) extract the said tissue with the said solvent to provide a solution comprising solvent and material Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, p. 11 / 79 6 / 67 extracted, the said extracted material including at least the said dye, wherein the said textile material and the said solvent are agitated within the said extraction chamber, during at least part of the said extraction step, preferably during the entire extraction step; c) remove the aforementioned solvent solution and extracted material from the aforementioned tissue; characterized by comprising the steps of a1) reducing the said textile material into pieces preferably with a maximum dimension of 5 cm before feeding the said textile pieces into the said extraction chamber; b1) after step b), feed the said mixture of solvent and tissue pieces into a centrifuge to perform the said step c); c1) feed heated solvent at a suitable temperature to remove dyes, preferably a temperature in the range of 80°C to 140°C, to the said centrifuge after step c) wash the said fabric and remove any dye residue from the said fabric; where the ratio of fabric bath (kg) to solvent (liters) is within the range of 1:3 (kg / l) to 1:20 (kg / l).

[0017] Another object of the invention is a process for removing dyes from a textile material, particularly a textile waste material, said textile material including at least 50% by weight, preferably at least 60% by weight, more preferably at least 70% by weight, of polyester fibers, said process comprising the following steps: Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, p. 12 / 79 7 / 67 a) supply a batch of said textile material into an extraction chamber; (b) extracting the said batch of said fabric with a solvent to provide a solution comprising solvent and extracted material, said extracted material including at least one dye, wherein said textile material and said solvent are agitated within said extraction chamber, during at least part of said extraction step, preferably during the entire extraction step; c) remove the aforementioned solvent solution and extracted material from the aforementioned tissue; characterized in that said solution comprising solvent and extracted material obtained in step b) and / or c) is used as a solvent to extract dye from another batch of textile material, and in that said steps b) and c) are repeated, preferably until the amount of extracted material in said solution comprising solvent and extracted material reaches a concentration where further extraction of the dye is impaired.

[0018] Also an object of the invention is a process for removing dyes from a textile material, particularly a textile waste material, wherein said textile material includes at least 80% by weight, preferably at least 90% by weight of cellulosic fibers, preferably cotton fibers, wherein at least part of said cellulosic fibers are preferably dyed with indigo, said process comprising the following steps: a) supply a batch of said textile material into an extraction chamber; Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 13 / 79 8 / 67 (b) extracting the said batch of said fabric with a solvent to provide a solution comprising solvent and extracted material, said extracted material including at least one dye, wherein said textile material and said solvent are agitated within said extraction chamber, during at least part of said extraction step, preferably during the entire extraction step; c) remove the aforementioned solvent solution and extracted material from the aforementioned textile; characterized in that said solution comprising solvent and extracted material obtained in step b) and / or c) is used as a solvent to extract dye from another batch of textile material, and in that said steps b) and c) are repeated, preferably until the amount of extracted material in said solution comprising solvent and extracted material reaches a concentration where further extraction of the dye is impaired.

[0019] Advantageously, it has been observed that, through the invention process, the recycling of textile waste comprising polyester and / or cellulosic fibers, particularly the removal of dyes from textile waste comprising polyester and / or cellulosic fibers, can be carried out safely, quickly, easily and in an environmentally friendly manner. Furthermore, the invention process allows for the removal of dyes from textile waste, including polyester and / or cellulosic fibers, with reduced or zero degradation of the polyester or cellulosic material in the textile waste. The invention process also allows for the effective removal of dyes from fabrics, Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 14 / 79 9 / 67 including polyester and cotton. Advantageously, when textile waste also includes polyurethane materials, for example, elastane or polyurethane prints or coatings, these polyurethane materials are effectively removed. The process of the invention allows for the easy and effective isolation and recovery of polyester materials (particularly polyester fibers and filaments), as well as cellulosic materials, from textile waste, for example, from textile waste including a plurality of different dyes. Furthermore, it allows for the recovery of substantially all the solvent used. In particular, the process of the invention allows for a solvent recovery rate of at least 99% and up to 99.9%.

[0020] As used herein, the term “extracted material” refers to material that includes dyes and possibly other components and contaminants, removed from textile waste by treating the textile waste, i.e., by extracting the textile waste with a solvent, as described herein.

[0021] According to the embodiments, the extraction chamber (or extractor) is a device known, per se, in the art. For example, the extraction chamber (extractor) can be selected from single / double shaft mixer, screw washer, washing machine such as reactors, solvent cleaning machines. In the embodiments, the extraction chamber is a cylindrical container, for example, a drum, which has a rotation axis arranged substantially horizontally. In another Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 15 / 79 In the 10 / 67 implementation, the extraction chamber is a static container housing an impeller that is rotated around an axis of rotation within the extraction chamber. The extraction chamber may have a vertical or horizontal axis of rotation. Preferably, the extraction chamber is provided with insulation to help maintain the solvent at the temperature required for optimal dye removal.

[0022] Preferred solvents are DMF (Dimethylformamide) or DMAC (Dimethylacetamide) or a mixture of DMF or DMAC with alkaline water, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the solvent is DMF. In embodiments used for decolorizing fabrics, including or consisting of dyed cotton fibers, the solvent comprises DMF and alkaline water, preferably a reducing agent for the dye. As used herein, the term “alkaline water” refers to water having a pH of at least 10, for example, in the range of 10 to 13.5. The pH can be adjusted by adding a base, such as NaOH and KOH, to the water.

[0023] The solvent is heated to a suitable temperature to remove dyes from the fabric.

[0024] According to the embodiments, the solvent-containing extraction chamber is rotated around its horizontal axis, whereby the textile material is agitated within the extraction chamber during at least part of the extraction step (i.e., step b), preferably throughout the entire extraction step. In the embodiments, the textile material is agitated within the extraction chamber by means of at least one impeller, said impeller being disposed along the horizontal or vertical axis of the extraction chamber. Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, p. 16 / 79 11 / 67, the extraction chamber being preferably not transported. Preferably, the extraction chamber is thermally insulated.

[0025] The words agitate, “agitated,” and “agitating” are intended to define the movements of the textile parts, together with the solvent, obtained by: i) a rotation of an extraction chamber, or extraction vessel, which is rotated about its axis of rotation or ii) the rotation of an impeller or similar device capable of imparting a movement to the solvent-textile mixture in a static vessel. A combination of the two movements may be performed. As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the extraction chamber is a cylindrical vessel having an axis of rotation arranged substantially horizontally; preferably, the extraction chamber is housed in a tank. In another embodiment, the extraction chamber is a static vessel housing an impeller that is rotated about the vertical or horizontal axis of the extraction chamber.

[0026] According to the embodiments, step c) includes a separation step of the solution comprising solvent and extracted material from the textile material by centrifugation. Advantageously, the use of centrifugation, particularly applied to textile material impregnated with the solution comprising solvent and extracted material, after the end of the extraction step, allows effective separation of the textile material from the solution comprising solvent and extracted material that was collected by the textile material, thus resulting in a particularly effective removal of residual dye and solvent from the textile material. This Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 17 / 79 12 / 67 also results in lower energy consumption for drying the recovered textile materials at the end of the process, because the vast majority of the solvent and / or solution comprising solvent and extracted material has already been removed. Furthermore, the use of centrifugal force also allows for a reduction in the number of extractions (step b)) required to remove the dye (and optionally other materials) from the textile material. Centrifugation is also a particularly safe technique for removing residual solvent from fabrics. According to the embodiments, the centrifuge is a centrifuge that rotates around its horizontal axis; in other embodiments, the centrifuge rotates around its vertical axis.

[0027] According to the embodiments, the extraction step b) lasts from 2 to 20 minutes, preferably from 5 to 15 minutes, more preferably from 7.5 to 12.5 minutes, preferably 10 minutes. As discussed below, the centrifugation step of the process is preferably carried out for 1 to 5 minutes; this results in a total process time of about 25 to 30 minutes to complete the removal of the dye from the fabric pieces. The short time required by the present invention process is a surprising result when compared with the time required by prior art processes that can last up to 270 minutes or that require several extraction steps, such as, for example, in US4003881.

[0028] According to the embodiments, the temperature of the solvent (or of the solution comprising solvent and extracted material) in the extraction chamber is in the range of 80°C to 140°C, preferably from 82°C to 135°C. The temperature can be selected according to the solvent used and the Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, p. 18 / 79 13 / 67 dye to be removed. For example, with DMF used as a solvent, the temperature of the solvent (or the solution comprising solvent and extracted material) in the extraction chamber can be around 90°C.

[0029] Advantageously, the solvent in contact with the textile material, namely the solvent-textile mixture, is maintained at a temperature as disclosed above. For this purpose, the parts of the apparatus intended to contain fabrics and solvents are preferably thermally insulated: in particular, at least the extraction chamber and the feed duct of the solvent / textile mixture to the centrifuge are thermally insulated. In preferred embodiments of the plant, all ducts, pipes, tanks and reservoirs intended to contain solvent are thermally insulated by means known per se in the art. Furthermore, the apparatus provides a closed system with zero emissions. In fact, the solvent used for the process can be recovered by 99.9% after distillation, so the process is a completely closed-loop process in the claimed apparatus.

[0030] According to the embodiments, step b) is repeated at least twice and, preferably, between each repetition, the solvent solution and extracted material are removed from the tissues, according to step c), preferably by centrifugation. In the embodiments, centrifugation can be performed in the extraction chamber. For example, when the extraction chamber is a washing machine or a solvent cleaning machine, the extraction chamber can perform centrifugation and drying. Preferably, the extraction chamber is different from the Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 19 / 79 14 / 67 centrifugation device (i.e., a centrifuge). According to the embodiments, centrifugation is carried out at a g-force in the range of 250 to 5000, preferably 800 to 2000, more preferably 900 to 1200, for a time in the range of 0.5 to 10 minutes, preferably 1 to 5 minutes. For example, centrifugation is carried out at a g-force of 250 to 5000, preferably 800 to 2000, more preferably 900 to 1300. In the embodiments, after each centrifugation, the solvent solution and extracted material are reused to treat another batch of textile material.

[0031] According to the embodiments, part of the solution comprising solvent and extracted material obtained during step b) is removed from said extraction chamber before step c). In other words, in the embodiments, before step c) the solution comprising solvent and extracted material obtained during step b) is removed from said extraction chamber.

[0032] According to the embodiments, step c) is carried out in a centrifuge. For example, the centrifuge can be selected from a vertical peeler-type bottom discharge centrifuge, a horizontal peeler-type centrifuge, a horizontal pusher-type centrifuge, or a decanter-type centrifuge. Preferably, the centrifuge comprises filtering means for filtering fiber particles from the solvent exiting the centrifuge. In the embodiments, the centrifuge rotates around its horizontal axis. In the embodiments, both the extraction chamber and the centrifuge rotate around their horizontal axis. In the embodiments, the extraction chamber comprises a paddle-type impeller that Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 20 / 79 15 / 67 rotates around the horizontal axis of the extraction chamber and includes blades located along the impeller axis such that the solvent and textile mixture is transported during the extraction step along said horizontal axis from an entry point of the extraction chamber to an exit point on the opposite side of the extraction chamber.

[0033] In the embodiments, after centrifugation, a washing step is performed on the textile parts after the solvent has been removed in the centrifuge. Preferably, the washing is performed in the centrifuge. In this case, the centrifuged textile material can be washed with fresh solvent that is fed into the inside of the centrifuge via a solvent feed line; during washing, the centrifuge is rotated at a reduced speed relative to the centrifugation speed, i.e., an effective speed for washing the textile parts, preferably in the range of 300 to 700 rpm, preferably 400 to 600 rpm. According to the embodiments, hot washing is performed, i.e., the temperature of the solvent fed to the centrifuge for the washing step is high enough to quickly bring the temperature of the mixture of fabric parts and solvent to a temperature equal to or higher than the temperature of the solvent used for extraction from the textile material.Washing is preferably carried out for a period of 3 to 10 minutes, but preferably about 5-6 minutes is sufficient to remove any remaining dye. After washing, the fabrics are centrifuged again to recover any residual solvent from the fabrics used in the washing stage. The final solvent content in the textile pieces after this... Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 21 / 79 16 / 67 Centrifugation is generally around 4-7% by weight: this offers the advantage of having an annular cake, i.e., a layer of small pieces of fabric that adhere to the side wall of the centrifuge at the end of a centrifugation stage. This cake can be easily removed from said wall by known means, such as, for example, a scraper mounted on the centrifuge door and a screw that feeds the scraped textile particles out of the centrifuge.

[0034] After centrifugation and, optionally, washing, the fabrics are dried. For example, the centrifuged fabrics can be transported from the centrifuge to a drying device to be dried. Advantageously, the solvent can also be recovered, reclaimed and collected during the drying stage.According to the embodiments, after centrifugation and, optionally, washing, before drying, the fabrics, generally samples of the treated textile pieces, are checked in a quality control unit, where the amount of dye in the fabrics is determined according to techniques that are, per se, known in the art, for example, color measurements with spectrophotometry, i.e., Datacolor. If the dye is still present in the fabrics in an unacceptable quantity, the textile material is transported back to the extraction chamber to be extracted again, according to step b) of the invention process. If the dye has been sufficiently removed from the fabrics, the fabrics are dried. In the embodiments, the fabrics undergo washing with water to remove the organic solvent, namely DMF or DMAC, before being sent to the drying step.

[0035] According to the achievements, the textile material Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 22 / 79 17 / 67 obtained in step b) is transported from the extraction chamber to a storage tank, preferably before being transported to the centrifuge, for example, when the centrifuge is not able to store the entire quantity of textile material treated in the extraction chamber so that a new batch of textile material can be extracted in the extraction chamber while the centrifugation of the textile material obtained in step b) is being completed.

[0036] According to the embodiments, when the quantity of extracted material in said solution comprising solvent and extracted material is at a concentration where further dye extraction is impaired, the solution comprising solvent and extracted material is fed to a distillation device, whereby said solvent is separated from said extracted material. In this case, advantageously, the solvent is recovered and reused. Furthermore, extracted materials, such as dyes, elastane and / or other polyurethane materials, can be recovered for further processing. For example, when all fabrics to be processed are dyed with the same dye (such as disperse or vat), the dye can also be recovered and reused without further treatments or processes.

[0037] According to the embodiments, distillation, particularly the distillation of DMF, is carried out at a temperature in the range of 70°C to 100°C, preferably 75°C to 95°C, more preferably 80°C to 90°C, and at a pressure in the range of 15 to 90 mbar, preferably 20 to 85 mbar, more preferably 40 to 80 mbar.

[0038] According to the realizations, the textile material is Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, p. 23 / 79 18 / 67 supplied to the extraction chamber in a form selected from powder, fibers, filaments, yarns, fabrics, fabric scraps (i.e., pieces), garments, garment scraps (i.e., pieces), and mixtures thereof. The textile material in powder form can be obtained by grinding other textile waste, such as fabrics or garments. According to the embodiments, the invention process further comprises a grinding step of the textile waste to obtain a powder, preferably a polyester powder.

[0039] According to the embodiments, the invention process comprises a mechanical treatment step of the fabrics, preferably fabrics and garments, to reduce their size, to obtain fabric pieces, preferably fabric and garment pieces (i.e., fabric and garment scraps). In the preferred embodiments, the material is fed to the extraction chamber after the mechanical treatment step in the form of fabric or garment pieces (i.e., scraps) in which at least 90% of said pieces have a size of 1 mm to 50 mm.

[0040] According to the embodiments, the material is a polyester-based fabric, optionally with elastane filaments, and is supplied to the extraction chamber in the form of small pieces of fabric or garments (i.e., scraps), wherein 90% of said pieces of fabric or garments have a size in the range of 2 mm to 2.5 mm. Pieces of fabric and / or garments with the mentioned size can be obtained according to techniques and machines known, per se, in the art, for example, grinding or shredding machines. According to other embodiments, if the textile waste Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 24 / 79 19 / 67 containing cotton fibers to be mechanically recycled, preferably at least 50% cotton fibers, the fabric is supplied to the extraction chamber in the form of fabric pieces (i.e., scraps), wherein 90% of said fabric pieces have a size of at least 20 mm, preferably in the range of 20 mm to 50 mm.

[0041] One advantage of having textile waste material, i.e., a fabric, woven fabric or knitwear, which is in the form of reduced-size pieces, as discussed above, is that the extraction time is drastically reduced; for example, the extraction step of 400 kg of textile polyester pieces in hot DMF (90°-95°C) under agitation according to the invention in an extraction chamber can typically take only 10 minutes. Furthermore, the washing step with hot DMF solvent in a centrifuge at reduced rpm, followed by centrifugation, can be completed in 5 to 10 minutes. Another advantage is that the mixture of small pieces of fabric and hot solvent can be transferred along tubes from one part of the apparatus, i.e., the plant, to another.

[0042] According to the embodiments, the textile material, optionally after the mechanical treatment step for size reduction, is mixed with the solvent in a bath ratio of textile pieces (in kg) to solvent (in liters) that is in the range of 1:8 to 1:20, preferably 1:10 to 1:20. The mixture (which preferably has a paste-like consistency) is therefore suitable for being transported, for example by pumping or Archimedes screws, along the apparatus, for example, it is fed from the extraction chamber to a centrifuge. Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 25 / 79 20 / 67

[0043] According to the embodiments, the textile material includes a plurality of dyes. According to the embodiments, the polyester fibers in the textile material may include at least one dye selected from disperse dyes and / or polyester fibers may be dyed with dope. According to the embodiments, the cellulosic fibers, preferably cotton fibers, in the textile material may include at least one dye selected from vat dyes, reactive dyes, direct dyes, sulfur dyes and mixtures thereof. In the embodiments, the cellulosic fibers, preferably cotton fibers, in the textile material may include at least one vat dye, preferably indigo.

[0044] For example, fabrics that can be recycled through the claimed process can be those of polyester sportswear, for example, T-shirts and garments printed with decorations on a thin layer or membrane of polyurethane material applied to the garment. The polyurethane layer is dissolved by the solvent along with the inks that form the decorative element (e.g., a logo or a number, etc.).

[0045] In the present description, reference is made to “polyurethane materials or PU materials; this term covers elastomeric materials (such as elastane) used in yarns (usually in the yarn core) and any other polyurethane material possibly present in the fabric, for example, as part of a decoration (e.g., a printed decoration) or a coating.

[0046] According to the realizations, at least part of the polyester fibers are dyed, preferably Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 26 / 79 21 / 67 dyed with at least one disperse dye or dyed with dope. According to the embodiments, all polyester fibers of the textile material are dyed, preferably dyed with at least one disperse dye, optionally with a plurality of disperse dyes or dyed with dope.

[0047] According to the embodiments, step b) is performed more than once, preferably in a different extraction chamber each time, and / or step c) is performed more than once, optionally in a different centrifuge each time. The extraction chambers are arranged in series. In one embodiment, each extraction chamber is provided with a centrifuge.

[0048] According to the embodiments, the extraction chamber is a first extraction chamber, and the textile material, after a first extraction stage b), is fed from the first extraction chamber to a first centrifuge for a first removal stage c). Subsequently, the textile material is fed from the first centrifuge to a second extraction chamber for a second extraction stage b) and then from the second extraction chamber to a second centrifuge for a second extraction stage c). In the embodiments, the first and second extraction stages b) and the first and second removal stages c) are carried out in two different extraction chambers and two different centrifuges, respectively.

[0049] According to the realizations, several batches of textile waste are extracted with the same batch of solvent. For example, after the dye is completely Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 27 / 79 22 / 67 removed after extraction in a second extraction chamber, the solvent used in the second extraction chamber and / or in said second centrifuge, preferably from said extraction chamber, is fed into the first extraction chamber to extract a subsequent batch of textile material. In this case, advantageously, the solvent (i.e., the solution comprising solvent and extracted material) removed from the second extraction chamber and / or said second centrifuge is used to extract a subsequent batch of textile material, to further increase the concentration of the extracted material in the solution, thus reducing the total amount of solvent required for the process. For example, textile waste materials may be extracted with solvent in a first extraction chamber, centrifuged, and then extracted again in a second extraction chamber and subsequently centrifuged again, preferably in a second centrifugation.Fresh solvent can be used for the second extraction phase.

[0050] A solution comprising solvent and extracted material is obtained after the second extraction step; said solution (including the residual solution recovered from the second centrifuge, after centrifugation of the textile material following the second extraction, and fed back into the second extraction chamber) can be reused for multiple extractions in the second extraction chamber, for example, up to 20, preferably up to 30, more preferably up to 40 extractions. At this point, the solution comprising the solvent and the extracted material can be fed into the first extraction chamber and reused for extraction. Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 28 / 79 23 / 67 of textile waste until the extracted material in the solution reaches a concentration that impairs dye extraction. When the extracted material in the solution reaches a concentration where further dye extraction is impaired, the solution comprising solvent and extracted material is fed to a distillation device, where the solvent is distilled and recovered. In other words, when dye extraction in the first extraction chamber is impaired, the solution comprising the solvent and extracted material is fed into a distillation device, and the solution comprising the solvent and extracted material obtained in the second extraction chamber is fed into the first extraction chamber.In this case, advantageously, the concentration of extracted material in the solution comprising solvent and extracted material obtained in the second extraction chamber is not limiting, unless the solution comprising solvent and extracted material obtained in the second extraction chamber is suitable for carrying out extraction step b) on another batch of tissues in the first extraction chamber.

[0051] According to the embodiments, steps b) and c) are repeated more than twice in more than two extraction chambers and centrifuges, and the solvent removed from any extraction chamber other than the first chamber is fed to the previous extraction chamber. In this case, advantageously, the solvent (i.e., the solution comprising the solvent and the extracted material) withdrawn from a second extraction chamber or from a subsequent extraction chamber is used to extract a subsequent batch of textile materials in the previous extraction chamber, so as Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, p. 29 / 79 24 / 67 whereby the concentration of textile materials in the solution increases whenever the solution is moved to an extraction chamber, to a previous chamber, where a new batch of textile materials is extracted, for the first time, in the first extraction chamber, with a solution comprising solvent and extracted material, and then treated in subsequent extraction chambers with solutions with a progressively lower concentration of extracted material.

[0052] According to the embodiments, the solvent (i.e., the solution comprising solvent and extracted material) exiting the extraction chamber is filtered. The filtering maximizes the amount of textile waste remaining in the extraction chamber, while keeping the solution comprising solvent and extracted material free of solid particles.

[0053] According to the embodiments, the solvent used in step b) already contains extracted material, said extracted material including at least one dye, before starting step b). In other words, according to the embodiments, the solvent used in step b) is in the form of a solution comprising solvent and an extracted material, said extracted material including at least one dye. In the embodiments, the solvent that already contains extracted material can be fed into the extraction chamber from a solvent storage tank. In the embodiments, this solvent storage tank is configured to receive the solutions comprising solvent and an extracted material that exit the extraction chamber and / or the centrifuge. In the embodiments, the extracted material in the solution may derive from other processes and / or plants. In the embodiments, the Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 30 / 79 25 / 67 The material extracted in the solution may be derived from a batch of textile material, previously treated in accordance with the process of the invention.

[0054] According to the embodiments, the solvent comprises DMF (Dimethylformamide) or DMAC (Dimethylacetamide) or a mixture of DMF or DMAC with alkaline water, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the solvent is DMF. In embodiments where the fabric includes cotton fibers and the relevant dyes, the solvent comprises DMF and alkaline water. As used herein, the term “alkaline water” refers to water having a pH of at least 10, for example, in the range of 10 to 13.5. The pH can be adjusted by adding a base, such as NaOH and KOH, to the water.

[0055] According to the embodiments, the tissue bath / solvent ratio (kg / liter) is in the range of 1 / 3 to 1 / 20, preferably 1 / 3.5 to 1 / 10, more preferably 1 / 4 to 1 / 6. In the embodiments, the tissue bath / solvent ratio (kg / liter) is in the range of 1 / 3 to 1 / 20, preferably 1 / 10 to 1 / 20. The advantage of a bath ratio of 1 / 10 to 1 / 20 is that the mixture of textile tissue and solvent is suitable for pumping along duct means, for example, from the mixing tank to the extraction chamber and from the extraction chamber to the centrifuge. In the embodiments, additional solvent and / or additional solution comprising solvent and extracted material is added to maintain the bath ratio in the aforementioned range.

[0056] According to the embodiments, step c) is performed in a centrifuge at a g-force in the range of 250 to 5000, preferably 800 to 2000, Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 31 / 79 26 / 67 more preferably from 900 to 1300, for a time in the range of 0.5 to 10 minutes, preferably from 1 to 5 minutes. The force exerted on a sample in a centrifuge is a function of the centrifuge's rotational speed (RPM) and the rotor radius. Knowing the rotor radius in centimeters, the equation to calculate the G-force (equivalent to the gravitational force) is: G-force = 0.00001118 x Rotor Radius x (RPM)2.

[0057] In embodiments, textile waste can be pre-treated before being extracted in accordance with step b). In embodiments, for example, the size of textile waste can be reduced, for example, by cutting fabrics or garments (e.g., 100% PET fabrics or garments) into shavings, or cutting shavings (e.g., 100% PET shavings) to further reduce their size, or grinding fabrics, garments or shavings to obtain a powder, particularly a 100% PET powder.

[0058] According to the embodiments, the waste material is initially treated to obtain fabric pieces (e.g., scraps) with a size of 1 mm to 50 mm, preferably 2 mm to 10 mm, more preferably 2 mm to 2.5 mm, especially for polyester fabrics. According to the embodiments, when the textile material contains cotton (at least 50% cotton) the size of the pieces is in the range of 20 to 50 mm.

[0059] In embodiments, when the textile material includes less than 50% by weight, preferably less than 30% by weight of cotton, the textile material may be pre-treated to reduce the amount of cotton in the textile material to Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 32 / 79 27 / 67 to be extracted. For example, the amount of cotton in the fabric can be reduced by pre-treating the textile waste with cellulase enzymes or with chemical reagents suitable for the depolymerization of cotton (or other cellulosic materials), such as treatment with inorganic or organic acids, according to techniques that are known, per se, in the art. In embodiments where the textile material includes elastane fibers, the textile material can be pre-treated to reduce the amount of elastane in the textile material to be extracted. For example, the amount of elastane in the fabric can be reduced by pre-treating the textile waste with DMF according to techniques that are known, per se, in the art. Advantageously, when the process of the invention comprises a pre-treatment step of the textile waste, the process of the invention is particularly efficient.

[0060] According to the embodiments, the textile material consists of polyester fibers. In other words, according to the embodiments, the textile material can be selected from polyester fibers, polyester filaments, polyester yarns, polyester fabrics, polyester fabric scraps (i.e., 100% polyester fabrics), polyester garments, polyester garment scraps, and their blends. For example, the textile material can be selected from fabrics consisting of polyester fibers (i.e., 100% polyester fabrics), scraps consisting of polyester fibers (i.e., 100% polyester fabric scraps or garments), polyester fibers, or their blends. According to the embodiments, at least part of the polyester fibers in the textile material that Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 33 / 79 28 / 67 consists of dyed polyester fibers. According to the embodiments, all polyester fibers in the textile material consisting of polyester fibers are dyed. According to the embodiments, the textile material consisting of polyester fibers includes a plurality of dyes, for example, a plurality of disperse dyes.

[0061] According to the embodiments, the textile material is selected from fabrics consisting of polyester fibers, chips (i.e., pieces of fabric and / or garments, preferably with the size discussed above) consisting of polyester fibers and their blends, wherein at least part of said polyester fibers is dyed with at least one disperse dye. In this case, the solvent is preferably DMF, and the temperature of said solvent (or of the solution comprising solvent and extracted material) used in said step b) in said extraction chamber is in the range of 85°C to 105°C, preferably around 95°-100°C.

[0062] According to the embodiments, the textile material is polyester fibers (i.e., separated fibers), and said polyester fibers are dyed with at least one disperse dye. In this case, the solvent is preferably DMF, and the temperature of said solvent (or of said solution comprising solvent and extracted material) used in said step b) in said extraction chamber is in the range of 80°C to 110°C, preferably 85°C to 105°C.

[0063] According to the realizations, the textile material is in the form of chips (i.e., pieces of fabric and / or clothing, preferably with the size discussed). Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, p. 34 / 79 29 / 67 above) consisting of polyester fibers, and at least part of these polyester fibers is dyed with dope. In this case, the solvent is preferably DMF, and the temperature of said solvent (or of said solution comprising solvent and extracted material) used in said step b) in said extraction chamber is in the range of 80°C to 140°C, preferably 85°C to 130°C.

[0064] According to the embodiments, the textile waste also comprises at least one polyurethane material, preferably elastane. According to the embodiments, the textile material comprises polyester fibers and comprises at least one polyurethane material, preferably elastane. In this case, advantageously, the polyurethane materials, such as elastane, included in the textile material are extracted together with the dyes. For example, the textile material may comprise at least 90% by weight of polyester fibers and also include one or more polyurethane materials, preferably elastane, more preferably a maximum of 10% by weight of elastane. In a particular embodiment, the textile material includes 90% by weight of polyester fibers and 10% by weight of elastane.

[0065] According to the embodiments, the textile material comprises at least 90% by weight of polyester fibers and at most 10% by weight of elastane fibers, and at least part of these polyester fibers is dyed with at least one disperse dye. In this case, the solvent is preferably DMF, and the temperature of said solvent (or of said solution comprising solvent and extracted material) used in said step b), in said extraction chamber, is in the range of 85°C to 105°C, and Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, p. 35 / 79 30 / 67 preferably is around 95°C.

[0066] According to the embodiments, the textile material comprises polyester fibers and includes at least one cellulosic material, preferably cotton fibers. For example, the textile material may consist of at least 50%, preferably 60%, more preferably 70%, by weight, of polyester fibers and also include cellulosic fibers, for example, 50%, preferably 40%, more preferably 30%, by weight, of cotton fibers.

[0067] According to the embodiments, at least some of the cellulosic fibers of the textile material are dyed. According to the embodiments, all the cellulosic fibers of the textile material are dyed. According to the embodiments, the textile material comprises cellulosic fibers, including a plurality of dyes, for example, a plurality of vat dyes.

[0068] According to the embodiments, the textile material includes dyed cellulosic fibers, preferably dyed cotton fibers. The dyed cellulosic fibers may include at least one dye selected from vat dyes, reactive dyes, pigments, direct dyes, sulfur dyes and mixtures thereof. According to the embodiments, the textile material includes dyed cellulosic fibers, preferably dyed cotton fibers, and the solvent is preferably a mixture of DMF and water and a base, optionally comprising a reducing agent. In other words, in embodiments, the solvent is preferably a mixture of DMF and alkaline water, optionally comprising a reducing agent. Agents Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 36 / 79 31 / 67 Suitable reducing agents can be selected from the group consisting of alkali metal hydrosulfites, sulfides, thiosulfates and oxalates; thiourea dioxide; alkali metal sulfoxylate formaldehyde, hydroxyacetone and sulfinic acid derivatives. For example, the reducing agent can be Na2S2O4. Suitable bases are NaOH, KOH and their mixtures.

[0069] According to the embodiments, the textile material comprises at least 50%, preferably 70%, by weight of polyester fibers and at most 50%, preferably 30%, by weight of cotton fibers, and at least part of said polyester fibers is dyed with at least one disperse dye, and at least part of said cotton fibers is dyed with at least one dye selected from vat dyes, reactive dyes, pigments, direct dyes and sulfur dyes. In this case, the solvent is preferably a mixture of DMF and water comprising a base and optionally a reducing agent, and the temperature of said solvent (or said solution comprising solvent and extracted material) used in said step b), in said extraction chamber, and in the washing step in the centrifuge after a first centrifugation, is in the range of 85°C to 110°C, preferably about 95°C.

[0070] According to the embodiments, the textile material comprises polyester fibers and further comprises at least one polyurethane material, preferably elastane, and at least one cellulosic material, preferably cotton, more preferably cotton fibers. For example, the textile material may comprise at least 50%, preferably 60%, or more preferably 70% by weight, of polyester fibers and Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 37 / 79 32 / 67 also includes elastane and cellulosic fibers, for example, 50%, preferably 40%, or more preferably 30% by weight, of elastane and cotton fibers.

[0071] According to the embodiments, the textile material comprises at least 50%, preferably 70%, by weight of polyester fibers and at most 50%, preferably 30%, by weight of cotton fibers and elastane fibers, and at least part of said polyester fibers is dyed with at least one disperse dye and at least part of said cotton fibers is dyed with at least one dye selected from vat dyes, reactive dyes, pigments, direct dyes and sulfur dyes. In this case, the solvent is preferably a mixture of DMF and water comprising a base and, optionally, a reducing agent, and the temperature of said solvent (or said solution comprising solvent and extracted material) used in step b), in said extraction chamber, and in the washing step in the centrifuge after a first centrifugation, is in the range of 95°C to 105°C, preferably about 100°C.

[0072] According to the embodiments, the textile material comprises at least 90% by weight of cotton fibers and at most 10% of elastane fibers, and at least part of the cotton fibers is dyed with at least one dye selected from vat dyes, reactive dyes, pigments, direct dyes and sulfur dyes. In this case, the solvent is preferably a mixture of DMF and water comprising a base and, optionally, a reducing agent, and the temperature of said solvent (or the Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 38 / 79 33 / 67 said solution comprising solvent and extracted material), used in step b), in said extraction chamber, and in the washing step in the centrifuge after a first centrifugation, is in the range of 95°C to 105°C, preferably around 100°C.

[0073] According to the embodiments, the textile material consists of cotton fibers (i.e., it is 100% cotton), and at least part of the cotton fibers is dyed with at least one dye selected from vat dyes, reactive dyes, pigments, direct dyes, and sulfur dyes. In this case, the solvent is preferably a mixture of DMF and water comprising a base and, optionally, a reducing agent, and the temperature of said solvent (or said solution comprising solvent and extracted material), used in step b), in said extraction chamber, and in the washing step in the centrifuge after a first centrifugation, is in the range of 85°C to 110°C, preferably around 95°C.

[0074] According to the embodiments, the textile material may include a vat dye, optionally a plurality of vat dyes. According to the embodiments, the textile material may include a mixture of disperse dyes and vat dyes.

[0075] According to the embodiments, the textile material includes a vat dye other than indigo, and said solvent (or the solution comprising solvent and extracted material) also includes water and a base and, optionally, a reducing agent. Advantageously, the presence of a reducing agent allows the reduction of the vat dyes to the corresponding leuco form, so that said dyes of Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, p. 39 / 79 34 / 67 tubs are easily removed from the fabric.

[0076] In the embodiments, the vat dye is indigo. Advantageously, when the vat dye is indigo, the presence of water, base, and reducing agents along with the solvent may not be necessary. In other words, the indigo is removed by the solvent (DMF, DMAC, or mixtures thereof) or by the solution comprising solvent and extracted material, so the presence of water and reducing agents may not be necessary. However, in the embodiments, the vat dye is indigo and said solvent (or the solution comprising solvent and extracted material) also includes water and a reducing agent and a base.

[0077] According to the embodiments, the textile material includes at least one cellulosic material, preferably cotton, more preferably cotton and indigo fibers.

[0078] In the embodiments, the solution obtained in step b) and / or c) is used as a solvent to extract dye from another batch of textile material up to 20 times, preferably up to 30 times, more preferably up to 40 times.

[0079] In embodiments where multiple extraction steps are to be performed, each extraction in a different extraction chamber, the solvent (or the solution comprising solvent and extracted material) may be used for up to 20, preferably up to 40, more preferably up to 60 extraction cycles, i.e., 20, preferably 40, more preferably 60 extractions, i.e., for 20, preferably 40, more preferably 60 batches of textile waste. For example, considering the use of three extraction chambers, for the first extraction chamber, the solvent may be Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 40 / 79 35 / 67 used 20 times (depending, for example, on the concentration of the dye in the residual tissue), and the solvent used in the second and third extraction chambers will also be used 20 times in the second and third extraction chambers. After the dye in the solvent (i.e., the solution comprising solvent and extracted material) in the first extraction chamber reaches a concentration where further dye extraction is impaired, the solvent in the second chamber, which has already been used 20 times, is sent to the first extraction chamber to be used, for example, 20 times again. Similarly, the solvent in the third chamber, which has already been used 20 times, is sent to the second extraction chamber to be used, for example, 20 times again. For example, dye extraction is impaired after the solvent has been used for 60 extractions.

[0080] According to the embodiments, the solution obtained in step b) and / or c) is used as a solvent to extract dye from another batch of textile material, and said steps b) and c) are repeated until the amount of dye extracted in said solution comprising solvent and extracted material reaches a concentration where further extraction of the dye is impaired.

[0081] According to the embodiments, the solution obtained in step b) and / or c) is used as a solvent to extract dye and, optionally, polyurethane (preferably elastane) from another batch of textile material, and said steps b) and c) are repeated until said solution comprising solvent and extracted material reaches a viscosity where further dye extraction is impaired.

[0082] As used herein, dye extraction is Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 41 / 79 36 / 67 impaired means that the solvent used in the extraction step, i.e., in the first extraction chamber, is no longer able to reduce the amount of dye in the residual tissue. This can be verified by monitoring the dye concentration in the solvent, i.e., the dye concentration in the solution comprising the solvent, the dye, and the extracted material. In other words, at this point the solvent is saturated and has reached the end of its extraction capacity based on the dye and non-PET material content. The solvent saturation level is determined by analyzing periodic samples taken from the unsaturated solution tank 9 and / or samples collected along the plant lines A.

[0083] According to the realizations, during the aforementioned step b), the aforementioned solvent, or the aforementioned solution comprising solvent and extracted material, circulates entering the aforementioned extraction chamber and exiting the aforementioned extraction chamber, through the aforementioned textile material.

[0084] According to the embodiments, during the aforementioned step b), the rotation of the extraction chamber can be interrupted, and the solvent, or the solution comprising solvent and extracted material, can circulate entering and exiting the extraction chamber through the said textile material, to extract the textile material. In this embodiment, the textile materials, for example, fabrics, clothing or fibers, are housed in the extraction chamber, which is immobile, i.e., static.

[0085] Another objective of the present invention is an apparatus (or plant) A for removing dyes from a Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, p. 42 / 79 37 / 67 textile material in a process according to the invention, the apparatus comprising at least one extraction chamber 2 configured to treat the textile material with the solvent, at least one centrifuge 3 to separate the solution comprising solvent and extracted material from the textile material, at least one fresh solvent storage tank 6 and at least one distillation device 5, wherein said fresh solvent storage tank, i.e., clean solvent, 6 is provided with duct lines configured to feed said clean solvent to said extraction chamber 2 and to said centrifuge 3, and duct lines configured to receive said solvent from said distillation device 5, and wherein said distillation device is configured to receive said solution comprising solvent and extracted material from said centrifuge 3.

[0086] According to the embodiments, the extraction chamber is configured to rotate horizontally during operation, whereby the textile material is agitated within the extraction chamber. In the embodiments, the extraction chamber rotates about its horizontal axis and includes deflectors so that the textile material is transported during the extraction step along said horizontal axis from an entry point of the extraction chamber to an exit point on the opposite side of the extraction chamber. According to the embodiments, extraction chamber 2 does not rotate and comprises an impeller for agitating said fabric within the extraction chamber during operation; preferably, the impeller is a paddle-type impeller with paddles distributed along its axis. Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 43 / 79 38 / 67

[0087] According to the embodiments, the apparatus may also include at least one storage tank 7 (see fig.3), configured to receive the mixture of textile material and solvent from the extraction chamber, for example, after step b) of the process, and to feed the textile material to the centrifuge, for example, to perform step c).

[0088] According to the embodiments, the apparatus may further include at least one unsaturated solvent storage tank, configured to feed the solvent, i.e., the solution comprising solvent and extracted material, to the extraction chamber, and configured to receive the solution comprising solvent and extracted material from the extraction chamber and / or the storage tank and / or the centrifuge.

[0089] According to the embodiments, the apparatus further comprises at least one distillation device 5, configured to receive the solution comprising solvent and extracted material from said extraction chamber, to separate said extracted material from said solvent. Preferably, the solution comprising solvent and extracted material from said extraction chamber is fed into said distillation device when the amount of extracted material in the solution comprising solvent and extracted material reaches a concentration at which further extraction of the dye is impaired. In the embodiments, a suitable pressure value in the distillation device is in the range of 15 to 90 mbar, preferably 20 to 85 mbar, more preferably 40 to 80 mbar.

[0090] According to the realizations, the apparatus comprises a plurality of 2a-2d extraction chambers and Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, p. 44 / 79 39 / 67 a plurality of centrifuges 3a-3d; the extraction chambers and centrifuges are arranged in series and the apparatus further comprises means for feeding the textile material along said series of extraction chambers and centrifuges, to provide a flow of textile material, wherein at least one centrifuge is connected to an extraction chamber upwards relative to the fabric flow and is connected to another extraction chamber downwards relative to the fabric flow.

[0091] According to the embodiments, centrifuge 3 is selected from among vertical peeler-type bottom discharge centrifuge, horizontal peeler-type centrifuge, horizontal pusher-type centrifuge, decanter-type centrifuge. Preferably, the centrifuge comprises a filter wall located in a rotating drum to retain the textile pieces, a solvent feed line and a scraper. The scraper aims to remove wet textile pieces from the inner wall of the centrifuge, where they are deposited as a thick layer or as a circular cake after centrifugation. As mentioned, the extraction chamber preferably rotates around its horizontal axis or has an internally rotating agitation means, such as an impeller, is thermally insulated and is connected directly or indirectly by a duct D to the centrifuge to feed said centrifuge the solvent and textile mixture obtained after the extraction step.According to a preferred embodiment, a duct line 14 is provided to feed the clean solvent from the clean solvent tank 6 to the centrifuge 3, in order to perform the washing step discussed previously. Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 45 / 79 40 / 67 hot solvent inside centrifuge 3 after a centrifugation step. A filter 11 is advantageously located in the outlet duct D2 to retain fibers and particles present in the solvent exiting centrifuge 3.

[0092] Apparatus A also comprises a quality control unit 10 where the amount of dyes present in the treated textile pieces is determined after centrifugation and after washing, before drying. The amount of dye still present in the textiles can be determined according to techniques that are, per se, known in the art, for example, color measurements with spectrophotometry, i.e., Datacolor. If the dye is still present in the fabrics in an unacceptable quantity, the textile material is transported back to the extraction chamber to be extracted again, according to step b) of the invention process. If the dye has been sufficiently removed from the fabrics, the fabrics are transported to a drying unit 4. In a preferred embodiment, a washing device 13 is located upstream of the drying unit to remove the solvent, i.e., DMF, by washing the treated textile pieces with water.

[0093] When the apparatus comprises a plurality of extraction chambers and a plurality of centrifuges, according to the embodiments, each extraction chamber can be connected to the previous extraction chamber, with respect to the path followed by the tissues from a first extraction chamber to a subsequent extraction chamber, with solvent feeding means, these means being Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 46 / 79 41 / 67 Solvent feed configured to feed the solution comprising solvent and extracted material that exits each extraction chamber to the previous extraction chamber.

[0094] When the apparatus comprises a plurality of extraction chambers and a plurality of centrifuges, according to the embodiments, the last extraction chamber in the series is connected to a fresh solvent storage tank, said fresh solvent storage tank being configured to supply fresh solvent to said last extraction chamber.

[0095] When the apparatus comprises a plurality of extraction chambers and a plurality of centrifuges, according to the embodiments, the apparatus may further include a plurality of storage tanks, each storage tank being arranged downwards to an extraction chamber and upwards to a centrifuge (i.e., between an extraction chamber and a centrifuge), with respect to the tissue flow, and / or each storage tank arranged downwards to a centrifuge and upwards to an extraction chamber.

[0096] Other aspects and advantages according to the present disclosure will be discussed in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting example, in which: - Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the process and apparatus of the invention, including an extraction chamber and a centrifuge; Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the process and apparatus of the invention, including Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 47 / 79 42 / 67 two extraction chambers and two centrifuges; - Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of one embodiment of the process, including four extraction chambers and four centrifuges; - Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the process and apparatus of the invention, including a mechanical treatment of the tissues prior to extraction and the quality control unit; - Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the process and apparatus of the invention, including a washing unit for the fabrics after the quality control unit; Figure 6 is a photograph showing the appearance of the textile material (small pieces of polyester fabric) at different stages of the process.

[0097] In figures 1 to 3, the solid arrows schematically represent the flow of the textile material, while the dashed arrows schematically represent the flow of the solvent and / or the solution comprising the solvent and the extracted material.

[0098] With reference to the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1, textile waste is collected and pre-treated to reduce the size of the fabric in a fabric size reduction device 1. For example, the textile size reduction device 1 may be a cutter or other machine suitable for reducing fabrics and garments into smaller pieces, i.e., scraps, or a machine suitable for converting fabrics and / or garments into fibers. The size of the fabric pieces was previously revealed in the description: a sample of bluish-green polyester fabric reduced to Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 48 / 79 43 / 67 parts with a size of at least 90% in the range of 2.0 mm to 2.5 mm is shown in reference 1 in figure 5.

[0099] The textile material, after size reduction pre-treatment, is transported to an extraction chamber 2. For example, the extraction chamber can be selected from single / double shaft mixer, screw washer, washing machine as reactors, cleaning machines using solvent. In embodiments, extraction chamber 2 has a horizontal rotating shaft and a rotating drum; In embodiments, the extraction chamber is provided with a rotating impeller, preferably a paddle-shaped impeller.

[0100] In extraction chamber 2, the textile material, i.e., the pieces of fabric, is extracted (treated) with a solvent, to provide a solution comprising solvent and extracted material, said extracted material including at least one dye and polyurethane material if initially present in the fabric. The textile material is agitated within said extraction chamber 2, for example, by rotating extraction chamber 2 or by means of an impeller without rotating extraction chamber 2, during at least part of said extraction step, preferably during the entire extraction step.

[0101] According to the realizations, the extraction step b) lasts from 2 minutes to 20 minutes, preferably from 5 min to 15 min, more preferably from 7.5 min to 12.5 min, or most preferably 10 min.

[0102] According to the realizations, the temperature of the solvent (or of the solution comprising solvent and extracted material) in extraction chamber 2 is in the range of 80°C to Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, p. 49 / 79 44 / 67 140°C, preferably 82°C to 135°C. The preferred solvent is DMF, optionally including a basic aqueous solution, according to the dyes to be removed.

[0103] Advantageously, the conditions of extraction step b) can be adjusted according to the composition of the textile material to be treated.

[0104] For example, when the textile material is in the form of 100% PET fabrics and / or chips, dyed with at least one disperse dye, the solvent is preferably DMF, and the temperature of said solvent in said extraction chamber 2 may be in the range of 85°C to 105°C, preferably around 100°C. For example, when the textile material is in the form of 100% PET fibers dyed with at least one disperse dye, the solvent is preferably DMF, and the temperature of said solvent in said extraction chamber 2 may be in the range of 80°C to 110°C, preferably from 85°C to 105°C. For example, when the textile material is in the form of chips (i.e., pieces of fabric and / or clothing) consisting of polyester fibers, and at least part of these polyester fibers is dyed with dope.In this case, the solvent is preferably DMF, and the temperature of said solvent (or of said solution comprising solvent and extracted material) used in said step b) in said extraction chamber 2 may be in the range of 80°C to 140°C, preferably 85°C to 130°C. For example, when the textile material comprises at least 90% by weight of polyester fibers, dyed with at least one disperse dye, and at most 10% by weight of elastane fibers, the solvent is preferably DMF, and the temperature of said solvent... Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, pp. 50 / 79 45 / 67 in said extraction chamber 2 may be in the range of 85°C to 105°C, and preferably is about 95°C. For example, when the textile material comprises at least 70% by weight of polyester fibers and at most 30% by weight of cotton fibers or a mixture of cotton and elastane fibers, and the polyester fibers are dyed with at least one disperse dye, and the cotton fibers are dyed with at least one dye selected from vat dyes, reactive dyes, pigments, direct dyes and sulfur dyes, the solvent is preferably a mixture of DMF and water comprising a reducing agent and a base, and the temperature of said solvent in said extraction chamber 2 is in the range of 95°C to 105°C, preferably about 100°C.

[0105] For example, when the textile material comprises at least 90% by weight of cotton fibers and at most 10% of elastane fibers, and the cotton fibers are dyed with at least one dye selected from vat dyes, reactive dyes, pigments, direct dyes and sulfur dyes, in this case, the solvent is preferably a mixture of DMF and water, comprising a reducing agent and a base, and the temperature of said solvent in said extraction chamber 2 is in the range of 95°C to 105°C, preferably around 100°C. For example, when the textile material consists of cotton fibers (i.e., is 100% cotton) and the cotton fibers are dyed with at least one dye selected from vat dyes, reactive dyes, pigments, direct dyes and dyes of Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, pp. 51 / 79 46 / 67 sulfur, the solvent is preferably a mixture of DMF and water comprising a reducing agent and a base, and the temperature of said solvent in said extraction chamber 2 is in the range of 85°C to 110°C, preferably around 95°C.

[0106] After step b) a solution comprising solvent and extracted material (i.e., at least one extracted dye and, optionally, extracted polyurethane materials such as elastane) is obtained, together with the treated fabrics.

[0107] In the embodiments, the solution comprising solvent and extracted material can be recirculated during step b), exiting and entering extraction chamber 2, both during agitation of the tissues within extraction chamber 2 and during interruption of agitation of the tissues within extraction chamber 2, i.e., maintaining the tissues and extraction chamber 2 in a static (i.e., stationary) condition.

[0108] According to the embodiments, at the end of step b), the mixture of tissues and solvent is transported to a centrifuge 3 for removal of the residual solution comprising solvent and extracted material in the tissues, according to step c). Preferably, the centrifuge 3 is different from the extraction chamber. In the embodiments, centrifugation can be performed in the extraction chamber. For example, when the extraction chamber is a washing machine or a solvent cleaning machine, the extraction chamber can perform centrifugation and drying. In embodiments, extraction, centrifugation, washing and drying can be performed in a machine, for example, in a cleaning machine with Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 52 / 79 47 / 67 solvent; the same machine may also include a distillation unit.

[0109] In embodiments, the solvent that has not been captured by the tissues can be removed from extraction chamber 2 and fed into a solvent storage tank 9. The solvent storage tank 9 is configured to receive the solvent removed from at least the centrifuge 3 and, optionally, from the drying device 4. The solvent in the solvent storage tank 9 is generally a solution comprising solvent and extracted material. The solvent (or the solution comprising solvent and extracted material) can be fed from the solvent storage tank 9 into extraction chamber 2.

[0110] According to the embodiments, centrifugation is carried out at g-force in the g-force range of 250 to 5000, preferably 800 to 2000, more preferably 900 to 1300, for a time in the range of 0.5 to 10 minutes, preferably 1 to 5 minutes. In the embodiments, after centrifugation, the solvent solution and extracted material are transported back to extraction chamber 2 to treat another batch of textile material, for example, a new batch of textile material.

[0111] In embodiments, after centrifugation, the textile material can be washed inside centrifuge 3. Washing can be carried out, for example, using fresh solvent, i.e., clean solvent, or a fresh mixture of solvent, water, a reducing agent and a base, according to the material to be washed. The fresh solvent or the fresh mixture of solvent, water, a reducing agent and a base is fed into centrifuge 3 from the fresh solvent tank 6 with the Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, page 53 / 79 48 / 67 line 14 (see fig. 4). The clean solvent washing step is carried out at the temperature at which extraction is performed in extraction chamber 2. Thus, clean solvent is fed into centrifuge 3 heated to the temperature required to reach this hot washing temperature. The washed material is centrifuged again to remove the solvent used for washing. The used solvent or the mixture of solvent, water, a reducing agent and a base is recovered and preferably transported to extraction chamber 2 for treatment of another batch of textile material.

[0112] According to Fig. 1, after centrifugation, the textile material is dried in a drying device 4.

[0113] When the extracted material in the solution comprising solvent and the extracted material reaches a concentration where the solvent is saturated and further dye extraction is impaired, the solution comprising solvent and extracted material is fed into a saturated solution tank and from this tank to distillation device 5, whereby said solvent is separated from said extracted material. The distilled solvent is then transported to fresh solvent tank 6 for storage. When necessary, fresh solvent can be fed from fresh solvent tank 6 to at least extraction chamber 2, for example, to adjust the tissue bath:solvent ratio. As mentioned above, fresh solvent can be fed from fresh solvent tank 6 to centrifuge 3 to perform tissue washing.

[0114] In one embodiment, the aforementioned textile material is Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, pp. 54 / 79 49 / 67 selected from polyester fibers, fabrics made of polyester fibers, fabric chips made of polyester fibers, polyester fibers ground into polyester powder, wherein at least part of said polyester fibers is dyed with at least one disperse dye, wherein said solvent is DMF, wherein the temperature of said solvent or of said solution comprising solvent and extracted material in said extraction chamber and in the washing step in the centrifuge after a first centrifugation, is in the range of 80°C to 110°C, preferably 85°C to 105°C for polyester fibers and is in the range of 85°C to 110°C, preferably about 95°C for said fabrics, fabric chips and polyester powder.

[0115] In one embodiment, said textile material is scraps made up of polyester fibers, wherein at least part of said polyester fibers is dyed with dope, wherein said solvent is DMF, wherein the temperature of said solvent or of said solution comprising solvent and extracted material in said extraction chamber and in the washing step in the centrifuge after a first centrifugation, is in the range of 80°C to 140°C, preferably 85°C to 130°C.

[0116] In one embodiment, said textile material comprises at least 90% by weight of polyester fibers and at most 10% by weight of elastane fibers, wherein at least part of said polyester fibers is dyed with at least one disperse dye, wherein said solvent is DMF, wherein the temperature of said solvent or of said solution comprising solvent and extracted material Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, pp. 55 / 79 50 / 67 in the aforementioned extraction chamber and in the washing stage in the centrifuge after a first centrifugation, is in the range of 85°C to 105°C, preferably around 95°C.

[0117] In one embodiment, said textile material comprises at least 50%, preferably 70%, by weight of polyester fibers and at most 50%, preferably 30%, by weight of cotton fibers, wherein at least part of said polyester fibers is dyed with at least one disperse dye and wherein at least part of said cotton fibers is dyed with at least one dye selected from vat dyes, reactive dyes, pigments, direct dyes and sulfur dyes, wherein said solvent is a mixture of DMF and water comprising at least one base and, optionally, at least one reducing agent, wherein the temperature of said solvent or of said solution comprising solvent and extracted material in said extraction chamber and in the washing step in the centrifuge after a first centrifugation, is in the range of 85°C to 110°C, preferably about 95°C.

[0118] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the process and apparatus of the invention, including two extraction chambers (2a and 2b) and two centrifuges.

[0119] With reference to the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 2, textile waste materials are collected and pre-treated to reduce the size of the fabric in a textile size reduction device 1. The textile material, after size reduction pre-treatment, is transported to a first extraction chamber 2a. In extraction chamber 2a, the textile material is extracted (treated) with a solvent, Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, pp. 56 / 79 51 / 67 to provide a solution comprising solvent and extracted material, said extracted material including at least one dye. Preferably, when the apparatus includes more than one extraction chamber, the solvent used in the first extraction chamber is the solution comprising the solvent and extracted material obtained in the second extraction chamber after the second extraction phase b) carried out on the previous batch of treated textiles. The textile material is agitated within said extraction chamber 2a, for example, by rotating extraction chamber 2a or by means of an impeller without rotating extraction chamber 2a, during at least part of said extraction step, preferably during the entire extraction step.

[0120] In the embodiments, the solution obtained comprising solvent and extracted material can be recirculated during step b), exiting and entering the first extraction chamber 2a, both during the agitation of the tissues within the extraction chamber 2a and during the interruption of the agitation of the tissues within the extraction chamber 2a, i.e., maintaining the tissues and the extraction chamber 2 in a static (i.e., stationary) condition.

[0121] According to the embodiments, at the end of step b), the tissues are transported from the first extraction chamber 2a to a first centrifuge 3a for removal of the residual solution comprising solvent and extracted material in the tissues, according to step c). According to the embodiments, centrifugation is carried out at a g-force of 250 to 5000, preferably 800 to 2000, more preferably 900 to 1300, for a time in the range of 0.5 to 10 minutes, preferably 1 to 5 minutes. In Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, pp. 57 / 79 52 / 67 realizations, after centrifugation, the solvent solution and extracted material are fed back into extraction chamber 2 for processing another batch of textile material.

[0122] The textile material, after centrifugation, is transported from the first centrifuge 3a to a second extraction chamber 2b. In the second extraction chamber 2b, the textile material is further extracted (treated) with a solvent, to provide a solution comprising solvent and extracted material, said extracted material including at least one dye. Preferably, when the apparatus includes more than one extraction chamber, the solvent used in the second extraction chamber may be a fresh solvent. The textile material is agitated within said extraction chamber 2b, for example, by rotating the extraction chamber 2b or by means of an impeller without rotating the extraction chamber 2b, during at least part of said extraction step, preferably during the entire extraction step.

[0123] In analogy with the embodiment of Figure 1, with reference to Figure 2, in the embodiments, the solvent that was not collected by the tissues can be removed from extraction chambers 2a and 2b and fed into at least one solvent storage tank (not shown in the figures). At least one solvent storage tank is further configured to receive the solvent removed from at least centrifuges 3a and 3b and, optionally, from drying device 4. The solvent in the solvent storage tank is generally a solution comprising solvent and extracted material. The solvent (or the solution comprising the solvent and extracted material) Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, pp. 58 / 79 53 / 67 can be fed from at least one solvent storage tank for extraction chambers 2a and 2b.

[0124] In the embodiments, in the multiple extraction process, all extraction chambers will be fed with fresh solvent at the beginning of the process (i.e., to treat the first batch of textile waste) and the solvent will be reused in the same extractors until it reaches the saturation point, i.e., a condition where the extracted material in the solvent reaches a concentration where further dye extraction is impaired, for example, after extraction of at least 20 batches, preferably at least 30, more preferably at least 40, for example 50. From the second batch of textile waste to be treated, fresh solvent is fed only to the last extraction chamber.

[0125] In the embodiments, the solution obtained comprising solvent and extracted material can be recirculated during step b), exiting and entering the second extraction chamber 2b, both during the agitation of the tissues within the extraction chamber 2b and during the interruption of the agitation of the tissues within the extraction chamber 2b, i.e., keeping the tissues and the extraction chamber 2b in a static (i.e., stationary) condition.

[0126] At the end of step b), the tissues are transported from the second extraction chamber 2b to a second centrifuge 3b for removal of the residual solution comprising solvent and extracted material in the tissues, according to step c). In the embodiments, after centrifugation, the solvent and extracted material solution is Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, pp. 59 / 79 54 / 67 transported back to the second extraction chamber 2b for processing of another batch of textile material.

[0127] Preferably, the solution comprising solvent and extracted material obtained after one or more extraction steps in the second extraction chamber 2b is fed into the first extraction chamber 2a to extract a different batch of tissues.

[0128] In embodiments, after centrifugation in the second centrifuge 2b, the textile material can be washed with clean, hot solvent inside the second centrifuge 3b. The washed material is centrifuged to remove the solvent used for washing. The solvent or mixture of solvent, water and a reducing agent and a base is recovered and preferably transported to the second extraction chamber 2b for treatment of another batch of textile materials.

[0129] According to Fig. 2, after the second centrifugation in the second centrifuge 3b, the textile material is dried in a drying device 4.

[0130] When the extracted material in the solution comprising solvent and an extracted material reaches a concentration where the solvent is saturated and further extraction of the dye is impaired, the solution comprising solvent and extracted material is fed, from said first extraction chamber 2a and / or said first centrifuge 3a, to a distillation device 5, whereby said solvent is separated from said extracted material. The distilled solvent is then transported to a fresh solvent tank 6 for storage. When necessary, fresh solvent may be fed from the tank. Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, pp. 60 / 79 55 / 67 of fresh solvent 6 to at least the second extraction chamber 2b, for example, to adjust the tissue bath:solvent ratio. As mentioned above, fresh solvent can be fed from fresh solvent tank 6 to the second centrifuge 3b to perform tissue washing. Optionally, fresh solvent can be fed from fresh solvent tank 6 to the first centrifuge 3a to perform tissue washing.

[0131] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the process, including a plurality (four) of extraction chambers and a plurality (four) of centrifuges.

[0132] In the embodiment of Fig. 3, a plurality of storage tanks, particularly a plurality of first storage tanks 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d and a plurality of second storage tanks 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d are shown. A first storage tank 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d is provided after each extraction chamber 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and a second storage tank 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d is provided after each centrifuge 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d.

[0133] According to the embodiments, the textile material obtained in step b), i.e., the textile material after solvent extraction, can be transported from extraction chambers 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d to the first storage tanks 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, for example, when centrifuges 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are not able to contain the entire quantity of textile material treated in reaction chambers 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, the textile material obtained in step b) can be transported from extraction chambers 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d to the first storage tanks 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, pp. 61 / 79 56 / 67 so that a new batch of textile material can be extracted in extraction chambers 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, while the centrifugation of the textile material obtained in step b) is completed.

[0134] In the embodiment of Fig. 3, the textile material exiting centrifuges 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d is conveyed to the second storage tanks 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d. The material in the first three second storage tanks 8a, 8b, 8c and then is fed to the subsequent extraction chamber (i.e., extraction chamber 2b, 2c, 2d) for further extraction. The textile material in the last second storage tank 8d is free, or substantially free, of dye and possible polyurethane and is ready to be dried.

[0135] In the embodiments, the solution comprising solvent and extracted material obtained in each extraction chamber can be recirculated during step b), exiting and entering the same extraction chamber, both during tissue agitation within the extraction chamber and during interruption of tissue agitation within the extraction chamber, i.e., maintaining the extraction chamber in a static (i.e., stationary) condition.

[0136] In embodiments, after centrifugation, the solvent solution and extracted material are transported back to the previous extraction chamber for processing another batch of textile material. For example, with reference to Fig. 3, the solvent solution and extracted material obtained after centrifugation in centrifuge 3a is transported back to extraction chamber 2a, the solvent solution and extracted material obtained after centrifugation in centrifuge 3b is Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, pp. 62 / 79 57 / 67 transported back to extraction chamber 2b, the solvent solution and extracted material obtained after centrifugation in centrifuge 3c is transported back to extraction chamber 2c, and the solvent solution and extracted material obtained after centrifugation in centrifuge 3d is fed back to extraction chamber 2d.

[0137] According to the embodiment of Fig. 3, the solvent used in the last extraction chamber 2d can be fresh solvent. After extraction, a solution including solvent and extracted material is obtained. The solution including the solvent and extracted material obtained in the last (fourth) extraction chamber 2d can be introduced into the previous (third) extraction chamber 2c, for the third extraction phase of the subsequent batch of fabrics, namely, after that, the solvent, i.e., the solution comprising the solvent and the textile material, used in the first extraction chamber 2a, has reached a concentration of textile material that hinders the extraction of the dye, and the solution comprising solvent and extracted material is transported from the first extraction chamber 2a to the distillation device.The solution, including the solvent and extracted material, obtained in the third extraction chamber 2c, can be fed into the (second) extraction chamber 2b above, for the second extraction phase of the subsequent batch of textile material. The solution, including the solvent and extracted material obtained in the second extraction chamber 2b, can be fed into the (first) extraction chamber 2a above, for the first extraction phase of the subsequent batch of fabrics. Advantageously, the amount of dye in the fabric is progressively reduced from the first. Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, pp. 63 / 79 58 / 67 extraction chamber 2a to the last extraction chamber 2d, while the concentration of the extracted material, particularly dye, in the solvent (i.e., the solution comprising solvent and extracted material) used in the extraction steps decreases from the first extraction chamber 2a to the last extraction chamber 2d. In other words, the solution including the solvent and extracted material obtained in the last (fourth) extraction chamber 2d is sent to the third extraction chamber 2c, for the third extraction phase of the subsequent batch of tissues, after which the solvent used in the first extraction chamber 2a is sent to the distillation device and the solvent used in the second extraction chamber 2b is sent to the first extraction chamber 2a, and the solvent used in the third extraction chamber 2c is sent to the second extraction chamber 2b.

[0138] Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the process and apparatus of the invention. In Figure 4, it is indicated that the starting material is dyed polyesterelastane textile waste; however, the process and apparatus disclosed with reference to the illustrative embodiment of Figure 4 apply to all suitable starting textile materials according to the invention.

[0139] In carrying out the process according to Fig. 4, a batch of dyed polyester-elastane textile waste (pre-consumer, post-industrial or post-consumer) is provided. The textile material is mechanically treated to obtain shavings, or small pieces, with a size of 1 mm to 50 mm depending on the nature of the fibers present in the fabric, preferably from 2 mm to 10 mm, more Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, pp. 64 / 79 59 / 67 preferably 2 mm to 2.5 mm. The textile material in the form of small scraps of the aforementioned size is fed to extraction chamber 2. In the extraction chamber, the textile material is extracted with a solvent to provide a solution comprising solvent and extracted material (in this case, dye and elastane). The bath ratio (kg:liters) kg of fabric to liters of solvent is preferably in the range of 1:10 to 1:20, preferably 1:13 to 1:15.

[0140] After extraction, the solvent and textile mixture is conveyed to a centrifuge 3 along duct D. In the centrifuge, the textile material is centrifuged to separate the solvent solution and the extracted material from the textile material. A washing step is performed on the textile pieces after solvent removal in the centrifuge. Preferably, washing is carried out at the temperature required for extraction in the centrifuge using hot, clean solvent that is fed into the inside of the centrifuge via a solvent feed line 14. During washing, the centrifuge is rotated at a reduced speed, i.e., a speed that is effective for washing the textile pieces, preferably in the range of 300 to 700 rpm, preferably 400 to 600 rpm. Washing is preferably carried out for a time in the range of 3 to 10 minutes, more preferably about 5-6 minutes are sufficient to remove the remaining dye.After washing, the fabrics are centrifuged again to recover any residual solvent from the fabrics used in the washing stage. The final solvent content in the textiles after centrifugation is generally around 4-7% by weight. Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, pp. 65 / 79 The 60 / 67 model offers the advantage of having a cake in the form of a thick layer (i.e., a layer of compacted textile pieces deposited along the centrifuge wall, providing a central free area) of small fabric pieces that are adhered to the side wall of the centrifuge. This layer of compacted textile pieces can be easily removed from said wall, for example, by a scraper mounted on the centrifuge door and a hopper to receive the scraped wet textile pieces, including a screw that feeds the collected textile particles out of the centrifuge.

[0141] After the centrifugation and washing stages, quality control unit 10 determines the amount of dye (and possibly elastane) that may still be present in the fabrics, according to techniques that are, per se, known in the art. If the dye (and / or elastane) is still present in the fabrics in an unacceptable quantity, the textile material is transported back to the extraction chamber to be extracted again. If the dye has been sufficiently removed from the fabrics, the fabrics are dried in a drying device 4.

[0142] The dry polyester textile material with reduced size is currently ready to be subjected to a thermomechanical process to provide recycled PET chips, not an objective of the present invention; the clean textile material can be stored in a storage area.

[0143] The process line according to Fig. 4 schematically shows the path followed by the textile material according to the process and plant in Fig. 4. The solvent solution and the extracted material recovered Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, pp. 66 / 79 61 / 67 of the centrifugation, after filtration in filter 11, and the drying of the fabric are sent to the unsaturated solution tank 9. If the amount of dye extracted (and elastane) in said solution comprising solvent and extracted material is not at a concentration where further extraction of dye and / or elastane is impaired (i.e., the solution is “unsaturated”), the solution is fed back into the extraction chamber to extract a subsequent batch of textile material. If the amount of dye extracted (and elastane) in said solution comprising solvent and extracted material is at a concentration where further extraction of dye and / or elastane is impaired (i.e., the solution is “saturated”), the solution is transported to a “saturated storage tank” and then fed to a distillation device 5, where the solvent is separated from the extracted material (e.g., dye, elastane, and any finishing chemicals) and recovered.The term “saturated” refers to a solution or solvent that has reached the end of its extraction capacity based on the input content of non-PET material. The saturation level can be analyzed by periodic sampling of the storage tank containing unsaturated solution and / or by means of internal in-line measurements. The solvent after distillation, i.e., “fresh” solvent, is stored in a clean solvent storage tank 6. The fresh solvent can be supplied from the storage tank to the extraction chamber for textile material extraction and to the centrifuge for washing the textile material after centrifugation. The “unsaturated solution” line, accordingly. Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, pp. 67 / 79 Figure 4, 62 / 67, schematically shows the path followed by the solvent solution and extracted material where the concentration of the extracted material is such that further extraction of dye and / or elastane is not impaired. The "solution line (after saturation)" schematically shows the path followed by the solvent solution and extracted material where the concentration of the extracted material is such that further extraction of dye and / or elastane is not impaired, according to the process and plant in Figure 4. The "clean solution line" according to Figure 4 schematically shows the path followed by the solvent (i.e., the solvent recovered after distillation), according to the process and plant in Figure 4.

[0144] Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the process and apparatus of the invention which corresponds to the process and apparatus of Fig. 4 and which further includes a washing device 13 located upstream of the drying unit 4 to remove the solvent, i.e., DMF, by washing the treated textile parts with water. Said washing with water can be carried out in the centrifuge 3. Water containing DMF or other solvent is fed into a water solution tank 12 where it is stored. From tank 12, the water-solvent solution is sent to the distillation column 15 to separate the solvent from the water; the solvent is fed to clean the solvent tank 6, the distilled water is sent to a water tank 16 for storage before being used in the process. In addition to the flow lines shown in Figure 4, Figure 5 shows a wash water line and a water solution line. Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, pages 68 / 79 63 / 67

[0145] Figure 4 and Figure 5 therefore provide evidence that the apparatus, i.e. the plant, of the present invention is a totally closed-loop plant for a closed-loop process in which the solvent used (including water) is fully recovered and reused in the process. In fact, it has been found that typically 99.9% of the solvent is recovered and reused.

[0146] Figure 6 visually shows the reduction in dye content of the initial reduced-size polyester material 1 to the same material after extraction, ref. 2, the extracted material 2 after hot washing in a centrifuge, ref. 3, and the washed material 3 after a final extraction in the extraction chamber with reference 4.

[0147] The invention will be illustrated by reference to the following non-limiting examples.

[0148] EXAMPLE 1 (agitation only, with impeller) 100 g of textile waste (100% PET dyed with disperse dyes) was ground into a fine powder. The powder was placed in an extractor and 600 ml of solvent (DMF) was added. The extraction chamber was heated to 90-100°C and agitated with a mechanical stirrer (with impeller). The extraction was completed in 10 minutes and the powder was sent directly to the centrifuge to remove the solvent from the powder under hot conditions. The vertical centrifuge was used for 2-3 min. at a g-force of 1250. Then, the sample was sent to a dryer. In 10 minutes at 75°C, all the powder was obtained in dry form. All solvents recovered in the extraction, centrifugation, and drying processes were collected together to use the solvent collected in the same extractor for the extraction of a new batch. Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, pages 69 / 79 64 / 67

[0149] EXAMPLE 2 (spinning of the extraction chamber + solvent circulation) kg of 100% PET textile waste dyed with disperse dyes (garments) were placed in the extractor. After adding 50 L of solvent (DMF) to the extractor, the extraction chamber was heated to 95°C and the extractor (i.e., extraction chamber) was rotated horizontally for 15 min at an average rotation speed of 50 rpm. The solvent circulated during extraction to increase extraction efficiency. Excess solvent was collected again before and after the centrifugation process, which was carried out under hot conditions (80-90°C) for 2-3 min at relatively high g-forces. As garments have less surface area compared to fabrics, yarns, and fibers, a second extraction is necessary to remove all dyes from the textile waste (generally, this depends on the concentration of dyes in the fabrics).Therefore, the textile waste (from the first extraction) was sent to the second extraction chamber. All parameters in the extraction and centrifugation processes were the same. After the second centrifugation, the fabrics were dried at 75-80°C for 10 min. The solvent from the first extraction and the first centrifuge tank was collected and sent to the first extraction tank for the extraction of the new batch. The solvent from the second extraction and the second centrifuge was also sent to the second extraction tank for the extraction of the new batch.

[0150] EXAMPLE 3 (agitation by rotation of the extraction chamber + solvent circulation) 100 g of 100% cotton textile waste dyed with a vat. Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, pages 70 / 79 65 / 67 and reactive dyes were placed in the extractor and the extraction chamber was heated to 90-95°C. 1 L of solvent (DMF) was poured into the extractor and the tissues were kept for 10 min. After 10 min., extraction with horizontal rotation of the extraction chamber and solvent circulation, the tissues were sent directly to the centrifuge and the solvent was removed at a g-force of 1200 for 2-3 min. Then, the tissues were sent to the second extractor and 1 L of DMF:water (in the presence of reducing agent and base) was poured into it to remove the remaining dyes at 90-95°C for 10 min. The drying process at 80-90°C was carried out after the second centrifuge process. The solvents are collected and reused according to the previous examples.

[0151] EXAMPLE 4 (expanded production) 400 kg of 100% PET textile waste dyed with light brown disperse dyes was processed using a closed-loop extraction and preparation protocol for the production of recycled PET chips. The textile waste was first mechanically treated to be reduced to small pieces ranging in size from 1 to 15 mm, with at least 90% by weight of the treated fabric having a dimension in the range of 2.0 mm to 2.5 mm. The material was then transferred to an isolated extraction chamber (a tank) where the solvent was fed. The extraction process was carried out at 90°C for 10 minutes with a bath ratio of 1:14 (kg textile : liters of solution), rotating a paddle-type impeller housed in the extraction chamber around its horizontal axis to agitate the fabrics. The solvent was dimethylformamide (DMF). After extraction, the material Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, pp. 71 / 79 66 / 67 wet textile, including the solvent, was transferred directly to a centrifuge, which was dynamically operated at a g-force in the range of 900 to 1300 for 240 seconds to remove excess extraction solution. An additional washing step was applied for 6 minutes at 500 rpm using clean DMF solvent at 90°C to improve dye removal in the centrifuge. After washing, another centrifugation was performed to remove the solvent. The centrifuged fabrics were then transferred to a drying unit as the color reached the appropriate level (in the quality control unit / tank) to remove residual solution. After being fully dried, the materials were sent to a recycled PET chip production facility for further processing. The extraction solution used throughout the process was recovered from both the centrifuge and the drying step and reused in a closed-loop system until saturation was reached.The saturated solution was then sent to a distillation plant for purification and reuse. The entire system operates in a closed loop, ensuring minimal solvent loss and supporting sustainable and efficient processing.

[0152] EXAMPLE 5 (expanded production) 400 kg of 100% PET textile waste dyed with light blue disperse dyes were processed using a closed-loop extraction and preparation protocol to produce recycled PET chips according to the process described in Example 4. The initial material is shown in Fig. 6 under reference 1. The extracted textile pieces are shown in Fig. 6 under the Petition 870250075930, dated 08 / 27 / 2025, pp. 72 / 79 67 / 67 reference 2 and the textile material after centrifugation, washing and centrifugation is shown in fig. 6 under reference 3. After verification in the control unit, the treated textile material of reference 3 was sent again to the extraction chamber for further dye extraction. The textile material after said second extraction was centrifuged and dried to provide the material shown in fig. 6 under reference 4.

[0153] The claimed process and apparatus thus make it possible to remove dyes from textile waste, particularly disperse dyes from polyester fibers and vat dyes, reactive dyes, pigments, direct dyes and sulfur dyes from cotton fibers. The resulting fabrics can then be recycled in a manner known per se.

Claims

1. A process for removing dyes from a textile material, particularly a textile waste material, said textile material including a dye and 50% by weight, preferably at least 60% by weight, more preferably at least 70% by weight, of polyester fibers, or said textile material comprising a dye and including at least 80% by weight, preferably at least 90% by weight, of cellulosic fibers, characterized in that said process comprises the following steps: a) providing said textile material and a suitable solvent to remove said dye from said textile in an extraction chamber to provide a mixture of textile and solvent;b) extracting the said textile with the said solvent to provide a solution comprising solvent and extracted material, the said extracted material including at least the said dye, wherein the said textile material and the said solvent are agitated within the said extraction chamber, during at least part of the said extraction step, preferably during the entire extraction step; c) removing the said solvent and extracted material solution from the said textile; wherein comprising the steps of a1) reducing the said textile material into pieces with a maximum dimension of 5 cm before providing the said textile pieces to the said extraction chamber; b1) after step b), feeding the said mixture of solvent and textile pieces to means of carrying out the said step c), preferably a centrifuge;c1) feeding solvent to the said textile pieces after step c) to wash the said textile and remove the dye from the said textile; wherein the ratio of textile bath (kg) to solvent (liters) is within the range of 1:3 (kg / l) to 1:20 (kg / l) and wherein, at least in the said steps a), b) and c1), the temperature of the said solvent is in the range of 80°C to 140°C.; 2. A process for removing dyes from a textile material, particularly a textile waste material, characterized in that said textile material includes at least 50% by weight, preferably at least 60% by weight, more preferably at least 70% by weight, of polyester, or said textile material includes at least 80% by weight, preferably at least 90% by weight, of cellulosic fibers, said process comprising the following steps: (a) feeding a batch of said textile material into an extraction chamber; (b) extracting said batch of said textile material with a solvent to provide a solution comprising solvent and extracted material, said extracted material including at least one dye, wherein said textile material and said solvent are agitated within said extraction chamber, during at least part of said extraction step, preferably during the entire extraction step;c) remove the said solvent solution and extracted material from the said textile; wherein said solution comprising solvent and extracted material obtained in step b) and / or c) is used as a solvent to extract dye from another batch of textile material, and wherein said steps b) and c) are repeated, preferably for a predefined number of cycles or until the amount of extracted material in said solution comprising solvent and extracted material reaches a concentration where further dye extraction is impaired.

3. A process, according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said extraction chamber containing said solvent and textile material is rotated around its horizontal axis, or in that the agitation means are rotated within said extraction chamber containing said solvent and textile material, whereby said textile material is agitated within said extraction chamber, during at least part of said extraction step, preferably during the entire extraction step.

4. Process, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said step c) includes a separation step of said solution comprising solvent and material extracted from said textile by centrifugation, said step c) being carried out in a centrifuge, preferably selected from a bottom discharge centrifuge of the vertical peeler type, horizontal peeler type centrifuge, horizontal pusher type centrifuge, or decanter type centrifuge. Petition 870250071284, dated 08 / 13 / 2025, p. 15 / 25 4 / 12 5. Process, according to claim 4, characterized in that, after said step c) the clean solvent is fed to the textile present in said centrifuge and a washing step with hot solvent of said textile is carried out in said centrifuge, said centrifuge being rotated at a speed lower than the centrifugation speed.

6. Process according to claim 5, characterized in that, after the aforementioned hot solvent washing step, the textile material is washed with water to remove the solvent before a drying step.

7. A process, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said textile material is reduced by mechanical treatment into pieces, at least 90% of said pieces having a size of 1 mm to 50 mm, preferably 2 mm to 10 mm, more preferably 2 mm to 2.5 mm, or at least 90% of said pieces having a size in the range of 20 mm to 50 mm, before said step of supplying said textile material to said extraction chamber.

8. Process, according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said extraction chamber is a first extraction chamber, and said textile material, after said first extraction step b), is fed from said first extraction chamber to a first centrifuge for a first removal step c), from said first centrifuge to a second extraction chamber for a second extraction step b) and from Petition 870250071284, dated 13 / 08 / 2025, p. 16 / 25 5 / 12 said second extraction chamber to a second centrifuge for a second extraction step c), wherein the first and second extraction steps b) and the removal steps c) are carried out in two different extraction chambers and two different centrifuges, respectively, preferably the solvent removed from a second extraction chamber and / or said second centrifuge is fed into said first extraction chamber.

9. A process according to any one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that steps b) and c) are repeated more than twice in more than two extraction chambers and centrifuges, and that the solvent removed from any extraction chamber other than the first chamber is fed to the previous extraction chamber.

10. Process, according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the solvent used in step b) is in the form of a solution comprising solvent and an extracted material, said extracted material including at least one dye.

11. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said solvent comprises DMF or DMAC or a mixture of DMF or DMAC with alkaline water, or mixtures thereof; preferably, the temperature of said solvent or of said solution comprising solvent and extracted material in said extraction chamber is in the range of 80°C to 140°C, preferably 82°C to 135°C.

12. Process, according to any of the claims 1 to 11 in Petition 870250071284, dated 08 / 13 / 2025, p. 17 / 25 6 / 12, characterized by the fact that the textile bath / solvent ratio (kg / liters) is in the range of 1 / 3 to 1 / 20, preferably from 1 / 10 to 1 / 20.

13. Process, according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said step c) is carried out in a centrifuge with g-force in the range of 250 to 5000, preferably 800 to 2000, more preferably 900 to 1300, for a time in the range of 0.5 to 10 minutes, preferably 1 to 5 minutes.

14. A process, according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said textile comprises polyester fibers and includes at least one polyurethane material, preferably elastane; preferably said textile material comprises at least 90% by weight of polyester fibers and at most 10% by weight of elastane fibers, wherein at least part of said polyester fibers is dyed with at least one disperse dye, wherein said solvent is DMF, wherein the temperature of said solvent or of said solution comprising solvent and extracted material in said extraction chamber and optionally in said step c1) is in the range of 85°C to 105°C, preferably around 95°C, wherein, before said step of supplying said textile to said extraction chamber, said textile material is reduced by mechanical treatment into pieces, at least 90% of said pieces having a size of 2.0 mm to 2.5 mm; or wherein the said textile comprises polyester fibers and further comprises at least one cellulosic material, preferably cotton, more preferably cotton fibers, preferably the said textile material comprises at least 50%, preferably 70%, by weight of polyester fibers and at most 50%, preferably 30%, by weight of cotton fibers, wherein at least part of the said polyester fibers is dyed with at least one disperse dye and wherein at least part of the said cotton fibers is dyed with at least one dye selected from vat dyes, reactive dyes, pigments, direct dyes and sulfur dyes, wherein the said solvent is a mixture of DMF and water comprising at least one base and, optionally, at least one reducing agent,The temperature of said solvent or solution comprising solvent and extracted material in said extraction chamber, and optionally in said step c1), is in the range of 85°C to 110°C, preferably around 95°C; prior to said step of supplying said textile to said extraction chamber, said textile material is reduced by mechanical treatment into pieces, at least 90% of said pieces having a size of 2.0 mm to 50 mm, preferably at least 20 mm to 50 mm.

15. A process, according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said textile comprises polyester fibers and further comprises at least one polyurethane material, preferably elastane, and at least one cellulosic material, preferably cotton, more preferably cotton fibers, said textile material preferably comprising at least 50%, preferably 70%, by weight of polyester fibers and at most 50%, preferably 30%, by weight of cotton fibers and elastane fibers, said polyester fibers being dyed with at least one disperse dye and said cotton fibers being dyed with at least one dye selected from vat dyes, reactive dyes, pigments, direct dyes and sulfur dyes.wherein the said solvent is a mixture of DMF and water comprising a base and, optionally, at least one reducing agent, wherein the temperature of said solvent or of said solution comprising solvent and extracted material in said extraction chamber and, optionally, in said step c1) is in the range of 95°C to 105°C, preferably around 100°C, wherein, prior to said step of supplying said textile to said extraction chamber, said textile material is reduced by mechanical treatment into pieces, at least 90% of said pieces having a size of 2.0 mm to 50 mm, preferably at least 20 mm; or wherein said textile material comprises at least 90% by weight of cotton fibers and at most 10% of elastane fibers, wherein at least part of said cotton fibers is dyed with at least one dye selected from vat dyes, reactive dyes, pigments, direct dyes and sulfur dyes,The solvent in question is a mixture of DMF and water comprising a base and, optionally, at least one reducing agent; the temperature of the solvent or the solution comprising solvent and extracted material in the extraction chamber and, optionally, in step c1) Petition 870250071284, dated 13 / 08 / 2025, page 20 / 25 9 / 12 is in the range of 95°C to 105°C, preferably around 100°C; prior to the supply of the textile to the extraction chamber, the textile is reduced by mechanical treatment into pieces, at least 90% of which pieces are larger than 20 mm, preferably 20 to 50 mm.

16. Process, according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said textile material consists of cotton fibers, wherein at least part of said cotton fibers is dyed with at least one dye selected from vat dyes, reactive dyes, pigments, direct dyes and sulfur dyes, wherein said solvent is a mixture of DMF and water comprising at least one base and, optionally, at least one reducing agent, wherein the temperature of said solvent or of said solution comprising solvent and extracted material in said extraction chamber and, optionally, in said step c1) is in the range of 85°C to 110°C, preferably about 95°C.

17. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the solution obtained in step b) and / or c) is used as a solvent to extract dye from another batch of textile material, and steps b) and c) are repeated using the solution as the solvent up to 20 times, preferably up to 40 times, more preferably up to 60 times.

18. Apparatus for removing dyes from a textile, preferably a fabric, in a process in accordance with Petition 870250071284, dated 08 / 13 / 2025, page 21 / 25 10 / 12 any previous claim, characterized in that it comprises at least one extraction chamber (2) configured to treat said textile material with said solvent, at least one centrifuge (3) to separate said solution comprising solvent and extracted material from said textile material, at least one fresh solvent storage tank (6) and at least one distillation device (5;15), means (1) for reducing the size of said textile by mechanical treatment into pieces of fabric, means for feeding said textile pieces and said solvent into said extraction chamber, duct means (D) for feeding a mixture of solvent and textile pieces from said extraction chamber (2) to said centrifuge (3) and means (14) for feeding said solvent into said centrifuge (3) to perform a washing step, wherein, preferably, at least said extraction chamber (2) and said duct means (D) for feeding said textile and solvent mixture to said centrifuge (3) are provided with insulating means to thermally insulate them, more preferably all parts of the apparatus intended to contain said solvent or said textile and solvent mixture are thermally insulated.; 19. Apparatus, according to claim 18, characterized in that said fresh solvent storage tank (6) is configured to feed said fresh solvent into said extraction chamber (2) and configured to receive said solvent from said distillation device (5;15), and being that Petition 870250071284, dated 13 / 08 / 2025, p.22 / 25 11 / 12 said distillation device is configured to receive said solution comprising solvent and extracted material from said extraction chamber (2) and / or said centrifuge (3) to separate said extracted material from said solvent; said device, optionally comprising at least one storage tank (7a-7d), configured to receive said textile material from said extraction chamber (2) and to feed said textile material into said centrifuge (3); preferably, said centrifuge is selected from among vertical peeler type bottom discharge centrifuge, horizontal peeler type centrifuge, horizontal pusher type centrifuge, decanter type centrifuge.

20. Apparatus, according to any one of claims 18 or 19, characterized in that said centrifuge (3) has a side wall to which said textile pieces adhere after removal of the solvent by centrifugation and is provided with scraping means for removing the textile pieces from said side wall of the centrifuge after centrifugation.

21. Apparatus, according to any one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that said apparatus comprises a plurality of extraction chambers (2a-2d) and a plurality of centrifuges (3a-3d), said extraction chambers and said centrifuges being arranged in series, means for feeding said textile along said series of extraction chambers and centrifuges to provide a textile flow, at least one centrifuge (3) being connected, Petition 870250071284, dated 13 / 08 / 2025, p.23 / 25 12 / 12 directly or indirectly, to an extraction chamber (2) upwards in relation to the textile flow and is connected to another extraction chamber downwards in relation to said textile flow, preferably each extraction chamber being connected to the previous extraction chamber, with solvent feed means, said solvent feed means being configured to feed said solution comprising solvent and extracted material that exits each extraction chamber to said previous extraction chamber and only the last extraction chamber of said series being connected to said fresh solvent storage tank, said fresh solvent storage tank being configured to feed said solvent only to said last extraction chamber.

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