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

Description

"PROCESS FOR REMOVING DYES FROM A TEXTILE MATERIAL AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING DYES FROM A FABRIC" Field of the invention

[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 from dyed textile and garment waste. State of the art

[0002] The recycling of pre-consumer, post-industrial, post-consumer, used textiles, 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 to ensure textile-to-textile recycling of materials present in widely used fabrics and textiles, particularly polyester. In other words, the industry is striving to produce polyester filaments from textile waste instead of wastewater bottles.

[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 from other materials that can weaken the fibers. A problem in recycling fabrics containing polyester or cotton is, in fact, the removal of contaminants, such as dyes and polyurethane materials (e.g., elastane filaments) from the fibers and filaments. Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 7 / 65 2 / 55 polyester or cotton fabric.

[0004] WO2022118244 discloses the recycling of polyester waste, including textile waste, by 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-adsorbing 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. Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 8 / 65 3 / 55 process. Summary of the invention.

[0007] 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.

[0008] In particular, it would be very useful to have a process that could quickly remove all dyes, such as disperse dyes and vat dyes, elastane filaments and decorations, from a dyed or printed / decorated textile material, without degrading or damaging the polyester and / or cellulosic fibers included in the fabric.

[0009] Another problem is that polyester-based fabrics and clothing can often contain polyurethane material, either as elastane-type filaments in the fabric yarns, or as a printed layer on the garment as decoration, for example, in sportswear. The presence of elastomeric material can be a problem when polyester and / or cotton fibers are recycled.

[0010] One objective of the present invention is to solve the above problem and provide a process for recycling waste polyester composite fabric, particularly Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, p. 9 / 65 4 / 55 A process for removing dyes from waste materials comprising polyester fibers, which provides a safe, easy and environmentally clean way to recover polyester 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, with reduced or no degradation of the polyester material. The particular objective of the present invention is to provide a process for removing dyes from textile waste, particularly including polyester, to ensure that textile recycling to polyester textile is achieved in an environmentally sound (i.e., green) manner.

[0011] 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. Preferably, the bleached polyester material is converted into PET chips or beads that can be used in spinning and / or fiber molding processes, depending on the target field to be employed. Cellulosic fibers, for example, cotton, which may be present in a textile blend, are treated together with the polyester fibers to remove the dyes from these cotton fibers. The bleached cotton fibers can then be removed, for example, by chemical or enzymatic digestion of the cellulosic fibers. Preferably, for example, when the textile material includes less than 30% by weight, preferably less than 20% by weight of cotton, the Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 10 / 65 5 / 55 Textile material can be pre-treated to reduce the amount of cotton or to remove the cotton content in the textile material to be extracted.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] The problem is solved by means of the process according to claim 1 and by an apparatus according to claim 15. Detailed description

[0015] An object of the invention is, therefore, 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: a) supply a batch of said textile material into an extraction chamber; b) extract the said batch of said fabric with a solvent to provide a solution comprising solvent and Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 11 / 65 6 / 55 extracted material, said extracted material including at least one dye, wherein said solvent circulates entering said extraction chamber and exiting said extraction chamber, through said textile material, to extract said textile material, wherein said textile material is in a static, or substantially static, condition 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 by the fact 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 which 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.

[0016] Advantageously, it has been observed that, through the invention process, the recycling of textile waste comprising polyester, for example, polyester fibers, particularly the removal of dyes from textile waste comprising polyester fibers, can be carried out in a safe, fast, easy and environmentally friendly manner. Furthermore, the invention process allows for the removal of dyes from textile waste, including polyester fibers, with reduced or no degradation of the polyester material in the waste. Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 12 / 65 7 / 55 textiles. The invention process also allows for the effective removal of dyes from fabrics, 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 invention process 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 invention process allows for a solvent recovery rate of at least 99% and up to 99.9%.

[0017] As used herein, the term “extracted material” refers to material that includes dyes and possibly other components removed from textile waste by treating textile waste, i.e., by extracting textile waste with a solvent, as described herein.

[0018] According to the embodiments, the extraction chamber (or extractor) is a device known, per se, in the art. For example, the extraction chamber (extractor) may be in accordance with the reactor disclosed in pending application EP24157391.4 in the name of the present applicant, incorporated herein by reference with respect to the reactor structure. The reactor preferably comprises a reaction chamber that can be closed, configured for Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 13 / 65 8 / 55 containing the textile waste; the reactor is also connected to at least one tank to contain at least one fresh solvent, dirty solvent, and to a pump or other means of circulation to feed and circulate said solvent through said chamber and the fabric contained therein. The reactor normally comprises a cage or basket provided with perforated walls to house the textile waste in said chamber, said basket being removable from said chamber. Preferably, said chamber comprises at least one perforated separation element housed in the basket to keep the fabrics immobile. Preferably, the extraction chamber is provided with thermal insulation means to help maintain the solvent at the temperature necessary for the best removal of the dyes.

[0019] The textile material is kept in the extraction chamber in an immobile, i.e., static, condition. The term "stationary" or "static" is intended to define that the fabrics are housed in an extraction chamber and are kept there while the solvent is fed through the textile material. The textile materials fill the chamber so that it does not move with the solvent, i.e., they are not displaced under the action of the solvent flow.

[0020] 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 bleaching textiles, including or consisting of dyed cotton fibers, the solvent comprises DMF and alkaline water, preferably a reducing agent for the Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 14 / 65 9 / 55 dye. As used herein, the term “alkaline water” refers to water with 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.

[0021] The solvent is heated to a suitable temperature to remove the dyes from the fabric.

[0022] 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 centrifugal force, particularly applied to the textile material impregnated with the solution comprising solvent and extracted material, after the extraction is complete, allows for the effective separation of the textile material from the solution comprising solvent and extracted material that was captured by the textile material, thus resulting in a particularly effective removal of residual dye and solvent from the textile material. This 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 textiles. According to the embodiments, the centrifugation step is performed in the extraction chamber; in other words, according to the embodiments, the extraction chamber is suitable for use as a centrifuge. Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 15 / 65 10 / 55

[0023] 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. According to the embodiments, 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 processes.

[0024] 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 82°C to 135°C. The temperature can be selected according to the solvent used and the dye to be removed. If the polyester is not dyed with dope, the maximum temperature can be as low as 110°C. For example, with DMF used as a solvent, the temperature of the solvent (or of the solution comprising solvent and extracted material) in the extraction chamber can be around 90°C.

[0025] Advantageously, the solvent in contact with the textile material, namely the mixture of solvent and textile parts, is maintained at a temperature as disclosed above. To this end, the parts of the apparatus intended to contain textiles and solvents are preferably thermally insulated: in particular, at least the extraction chamber and the feed duct of the solvent / fabric mixture to the centrifuge are thermally insulated. In Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, p. 16 / 65 11 / 55 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.

[0026] 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, optionally washing and drying. According to the embodiments, the extraction chamber is suitable for use as a centrifuge. According to the embodiments, centrifugation is performed 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, for example, 1200. In some embodiments, after each centrifugation, the solvent solution and extracted material are reused to treat another batch of textile material.

[0027] 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 material Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 17 / 65 12 / 55 extracted during step b) is removed from said extraction chamber.

[0028] 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. According to the embodiments, the centrifuge comprises a filter and a scraper. According to the embodiments, the extraction chamber is suitable for use as a centrifuge.

[0029] In the embodiments, after centrifugation, a washing step is performed. Preferably, the washing is performed in the centrifuge (e.g., in the extraction chamber, when the extraction chamber is suitable for use as a 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, i.e., a speed that is effective 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 of the textile material.Washing is preferably carried out for a period of 3 to 10 minutes. Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 18 / 65 13 / 55 minutes, more preferably about 5-6 minutes, is sufficient to remove the remaining dye. After washing, the fabrics are centrifuged again to recover the residual solvent in the fabrics used in the washing step. The final solvent content in the textile pieces is generally about 4-7% by weight: this provides the advantage of having an "annular cake," that is, a thick layer of small pieces of fabric that adhere to the side wall of the centrifuge at the end of a centrifugation step. This cake can be easily removed from said wall by the scraper mentioned above.

[0030] After centrifugation and, optionally, washing (usually with solvent), the fabrics can be washed with water. In some embodiments, the water washing is carried out in the centrifuge (e.g., in the extraction chamber when it is suitable for use as a centrifuge). After centrifugation and, optionally, washing (usually with solvent) and, optionally, washing with water, 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 and water can also be recovered, reclaimed and collected, for example, during the drying stage.According to the realizations, after centrifugation and, optionally, washing with hot solvent of the textile pieces inside the centrifuge, before drying, the fabrics, usually samples of the treated textile pieces, are checked in a quality control unit, where the amount of dye in the textiles is determined according to techniques that are, per se, known in the art, for example, color measurements with... Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 19 / 65 14 / 55 spectrophotometry, i.e., Datacolor. If the dye is still present in the fabrics in an unacceptable quantity, the textile material is transported 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 removed from the quality control unit and dried. In embodiments, the fabrics undergo washing with water to remove the organic solvent, namely DMF or DMAC, before being sent to the drying step.

[0031] According to the embodiments, the textile material obtained in step b) is transported from the extraction chamber to a storage tank, preferably before being transported to a centrifuge. Advantageously, the textile material obtained in step b) can be transported from the extraction chamber to a storage tank, for example, when the centrifuge is unable to contain the entire quantity of textile material treated in the extraction chamber; the textile materials obtained in step b) can be transported from the extraction chamber to a storage tank so that a new batch of textile materials can be extracted in the extraction chamber while the centrifugation of the textile materials obtained in step b) is completed.

[0032] According to the embodiments, when the quantity of extracted material in said solution comprising solvent and extracted material is at a concentration where further extraction of the dye is impaired, the solution comprising solvent and extracted material is fed to a distillation device, whereby the Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, p. 20 / 65 15 / 55 The aforementioned solvent is separated from the aforementioned 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 textiles to be processed are dyed with the same dye (such as disperse or vat), the dye can also be recovered and reused without additional treatments or processes.

[0033] 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.

[0034] According to the embodiments, the textile material is 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 forms of textile waste, such as, for example, fabrics or garments. According to the embodiments, the process of the invention further comprises a grinding step of the textile waste, for example, a material consisting of polyester fibers, to obtain a powder, preferably a polyester powder.

[0035] According to the embodiments, the invention process further comprises a step of mechanical treatment of textiles, preferably woven fabrics and garments, to Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 21 / 65 16 / 55 reduce its size, to obtain fabric pieces, preferably fabric and garment pieces (i.e., fabric and garment scraps). In the embodiments, the material is supplied 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 these pieces have a size of 1 mm to 50 mm.

[0036] 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 fabric pieces or garments (i.e., scraps), wherein 90% of said fabric pieces or garments have a size in the range of 2 mm to 2.5 mm. Fabric and / or garment pieces with the aforementioned size can be obtained according to techniques and machines known, per se, in the art, for example, a cutting device or a shredding device. According to other embodiments, the material contains cotton fibers, preferably at least 50% cotton fibers; the fabric is supplied to the extraction chamber in the form of fabric pieces or garments (i.e., scraps), wherein 90% of said fabric pieces or garments have a size of at least 20 mm, preferably in the range of 20 mm to 50 mm.

[0037] One advantage of having textile waste material, i.e., a fabric, woven fabric or knitwear, which is in the form of small-sized pieces, as discussed above, is that the extraction time is drastically reduced and that the mixture of small pieces of fabric and hot solvent can be easily transferred from one part of the apparatus, i.e., the plant, to another. Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, p. 22 / 65 17 / 55

[0038] According to the embodiments, when the textile material is 100% cotton, the fabrics, such as woven fabrics and garments, can undergo a mechanical opening step of these fabrics (e.g., yarns, woven fabrics and garments) to obtain fiber tufts. The process of mechanically opening a fabric is a process known in the art. Machines known as ripping machines are commonly used for such a task, during a so-called ripping or unraveling step. Suitable machines are commercially available under the name Laroche, part of the Andritz group (FR) and other producers such as Dell'Orco & Villani (IT) and Trützschler (DE). Preferred ripping machines comprise a sequence of several rotating cylinders or drums, covered with opening means such as saw wires or steel pins that tear the fabric, causing the textile structure to progressively open into bundles of fibers or tufts of fibers.The terms tufts and “fiber tufts” are therefore a known condition of the fabric, in which a fabric is converted into an aggregate of fibers, as can be obtained in a ripping machine where the fabric is treated by a series of rotating drums provided with ripping means such as steel pins. Fiber tufts obtained by known machines are therefore an aggregate, or bundle, of fibers that are no longer in the form of yarns, but are in a physical condition similar to that of raw cotton after ginning and the cotton condition.

[0039] According to the embodiments, the textile material 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. Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 23 / 65 18 / 55 (which preferably has a paste-like consistency) is therefore suitable for transport, i.e., by pumping or feed screws or Archimedes screws, and is then fed along the apparatus, for example, from the extraction chamber to the centrifuge.

[0040] 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.

[0041] According to the embodiments, the textile waste may include cellulosic fibers, preferably cotton fibers. In 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.

[0042] 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 garments. 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.).

[0043] In the present description, reference is made to “polyurethane materials or PU materials; this term Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 24 / 65 19 / 55 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.

[0044] According to the embodiments, at least some of the polyester fibers are dyed, preferably dyed with at least one disperse dye. According to the embodiments, all the polyester fibers of the textile material are dyed, preferably dyed with at least one disperse dye, optionally with a plurality of disperse dyes.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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 Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 25 / 65 20 / 55 second removal stages c) are carried out in two different extraction chambers and two different centrifuges, respectively.

[0047] According to the embodiments, several batches of textile waste are extracted with the same batch of solvent. For example, after the dye is completely removed following 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 can 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 centrifuge. Fresh solvent can be used for the second extraction phase. A solution comprising solvent and extracted material is obtained after the second extraction step; this 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 multiple times. Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 26 / 65 21 / 55 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 the extraction 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.

[0048] 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, Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, p. 27 / 65 22 / 55 advantageously, the solvent (i.e., the solution comprising the solvent and the extracted material) taken 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 that the concentration of the extracted materials in the solution increases whenever the solution is transported to an extraction chamber, where a new batch of textile materials is first extracted in the first extraction chamber with a solution comprising solvent and extracted material, and then treated in subsequent extraction chambers with solutions of progressively lower concentration of extracted material.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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, Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 28 / 65 23 / 55 This solvent storage tank is configured to receive solutions comprising solvent and an extracted material exiting the extraction chamber and / or centrifuge. In embodiments, the extracted material in the solution may derive from other processes and / or plants. In embodiments, the extracted material in the solution may derive from a batch of textile material, previously treated according to the process of the invention.

[0051] 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 the embodiments, 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.

[0052] 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 / 12, more preferably 1 / 4 to 1 / 10. 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. 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.

[0053] 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, more preferably 900 to 1300, for a time in the range Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 29 / 65 24 / 55 from 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 gravitational force) is: G-force = 0.00001118 x Rotor Radius x (RPM)2. According to the realizations, the extraction chamber is suitable for use as a centrifuge.

[0054] 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 clothing (e.g., 100% PET fabrics or garments) into shavings, or cutting shavings (e.g., 100% PET shavings) to further reduce their size, or shredding fabrics, clothing or shavings to obtain a powder, particularly a 100% PET powder.

[0055] According to the embodiments, the material is pretreated to obtain pieces of fabric or garments (i.e., scraps) with a size of 1 mm to 50 mm, preferably 2 mm to 10 mm, more preferably 2 mm to 2.5 mm. 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. In embodiments where the fabric is 100% cotton, textiles, such as fabrics and garments, can undergo a mechanical opening step of these fabrics (e.g., yarns, fabrics and garments) to obtain fiber tufts. 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, a Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 30 / 65 25 / 55 cutting device or a shredding device.

[0056] In embodiments, textile waste can be reduced to fibers. For example, fabrics, garments or scraps (e.g., 100% PET fabrics, garments or scraps) can be converted into fibers (e.g., 100% PET fibers). In embodiments, when the textile material includes less than 50% by weight, preferably less than 30% by weight of cotton, the textile material can be pre-treated to reduce the amount of cotton in the textile material 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 pretreated 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 pretreating textile waste with DMF according to techniques that are known, per se, in the art. Advantageously, when the process of the invention comprises a pretreatment step of the textile waste, the process of the invention becomes particularly efficient.

[0057] 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, filaments of Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 31 / 65 26 / 55 polyester, 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., scraps of 100% polyester fabrics or garments), polyester fibers, or their blends. According to the embodiments, at least some of the polyester fibers in the textile material consisting of polyester fibers are dyed. According to the embodiments, all the 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.

[0058] According to the embodiments, the textile material is selected from fabrics consisting of polyester fibers, scraps (i.e., pieces of fabric and / or clothing optionally 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 and in the washing step in the centrifuge after a first centrifugation, is in the range of 85°C to 105°C, preferably around 95°-100°C.

[0059] According to the achievements, the textile material Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 32 / 65 27 / 55 are 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 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 example, 100°C.

[0060] According to the embodiments, the textile waste further 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 further 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.

[0061] 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 material) Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, p. 33 / 65 28 / 55 extracted) 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 105°C, and preferably is around 95°C.

[0062] According to the embodiments, the textile material comprises polyester fibers and comprises at least one cellulosic material, preferably 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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 nas, the solvent is preferably a Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 34 / 65 29 / 55 mixture of DMF and alkaline water, optionally comprising a reducing agent. Suitable reducing agents may 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 may be Na2S2O4. Suitable bases are NaOH, KOH and mixtures thereof.

[0065] 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) and in the washing step in the centrifuge after a first centrifugation, in said extraction chamber, is in the range of 85°C to 110°C, preferably about 95°C.

[0066] According to the embodiments, the textile material comprises polyester fibers and includes 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%, Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 35 / 65 30 / 55 preferably 60%, or more preferably 70%, by weight, of polyester and elastane fibers and cellulosic fibers, for example, 50%, preferably 40%, or better yet, 30%, by weight, of elastane and cotton fibers.

[0067] 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 in which 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 around 100°C.

[0068] According to the embodiments, the textile material may include cellulosic fibers dyed with at least one vat dye, optionally a plurality of vat dyes.

[0069] According to the embodiments, the textile material may include a mixture of disperse dyes and vat dyes, for example, polyester fibers dyed with at least one disperse dye and cellulosic fibers dyed with at least one dye. Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 36 / 65 31 / 55

[0070] 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 vat dyes are easily removed from the fabric.

[0071] 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.

[0072] According to the embodiments, the textile material includes at least one cellulosic material, preferably cotton, more preferably cotton and indigo fibers.

[0073] 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.

[0074] In embodiments where a plurality of extraction steps must be performed, each extraction in a different extraction chamber, the solvent (or the solution comprising solvent and extracted material) may be used Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 37 / 65 32 / 55 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 can be used 20 times (depending, for example, on the concentration of the dye in the textile waste), 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 instance, dye extraction is impaired after the solvent has been used for 60 extractions.

[0075] 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.

[0076] According to the findings, the solution obtained in Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 38 / 65 33 / 55 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.

[0077] As used herein, impaired dye extraction 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 textile waste. 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 a tank of unsaturated solution and / or samples collected along the lines of the apparatus of the invention.

[0078] 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.

[0079] According to the invention, during said step b), the solvent, or the solution comprising solvent and extracted material, circulates through the extraction chamber and Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, p. 39 / 65 34 / 55 The textile waste housed therein enters the extraction chamber at an inlet and exits the extraction chamber at an outlet, through said textile material, to extract the textile material, wherein the textile material is in a static (i.e., stationary) or substantially static (i.e., substantially immobile) condition. The textile materials, for example, fabrics, clothing or fibers, are housed in the extraction chamber, which is immobile, i.e., static. The textile material is also in an immobile, i.e., static, state, apart from any possible movement transmitted by the flow of solvent circulating, for example, with a pump, through the static extraction chamber and through the fabrics.

[0080] Another object of the present invention is an apparatus for removing dyes from a textile material in a process according to the invention, the apparatus comprising at least one extraction chamber configured to treat the textile material with the solvent, at least one centrifuge for separating the solution comprising solvent and extracted material from the textile material, at least one fresh solvent storage tank and at least one distillation device, wherein said fresh solvent storage tank is configured to feed said fresh solvent into said extraction chamber, and configured to receive said solvent from said distillation device, and wherein said distillation device is configured to receive said solution comprising solvent and extracted material from said extraction chamber and / or said centrifuge.

[0081] According to the embodiments, the tank of Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, p. 40 / 65 35 / 55 fresh solvent storage is configured to feed said fresh solvent into said centrifuge.

[0082] According to the invention, the extraction chamber is configured to remain stationary, i.e., static, during the operation, in which the solvent (or the solution comprising solvent and extracted material) circulates by means of a circulating device, for example, a pump, through the static extraction chamber and through the tissues. According to the embodiments, the extraction chamber is also configured to act as a centrifuge. In this case, the extraction chamber and the centrifuge are the same device.

[0083] According to the embodiments, the apparatus may also include at least one storage tank, 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).

[0084] According to the embodiments, the apparatus may further include at least one solvent storage tank, configured to feed the solvent, or 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.

[0085] According to the embodiments, the apparatus further comprises at least one distillation device, configured to receive the solution comprising solvent and material extracted from said extraction chamber, for Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, p. 41 / 65 36 / 55 separate the said extracted material from the said solvent. Preferably, the solution comprising solvent and extracted material from the said extraction chamber is fed into the 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 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.

[0086] According to the embodiments, the apparatus comprises a plurality of extraction chambers and a plurality of centrifuges, and 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.

[0087] According to the embodiments, the centrifuge 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 to retain fibers and particles that exit the centrifuge and a scraper. The scraper aims to remove pieces of wet tissue from the inner wall of the centrifuge, where they are deposited as a layer or as a cake of shavings after centrifugation. According to the Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 42 / 65 In embodiments 37 / 55, the extraction chamber is configured to also act as a centrifuge; in other words, in these embodiments, the extraction chamber is suitable for use as a centrifuge.

[0088] According to the embodiments, after centrifugation and, optionally, solvent washing and, optionally, water washing, before drying, the fabrics are transported to a quality control unit, where the amount of dye still present in the fabrics is determined. Thus, in the embodiments, the apparatus comprises a quality control unit, where the amount of dyes present in the treated textile pieces after centrifugation and after washing, before drying, is determined. 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 textiles in an unacceptable quantity, the textile material is transported 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 tissues, the tissues are transported to a drying unit. In some embodiments, the solution comprising solvent and extracted material exiting the centrifuge after centrifugation is filtered. Thus, according to the embodiments, the apparatus may further include one or more filters configured for the solution comprising solvent and extracted material exiting the centrifuge after centrifugation. In a preferred embodiment, a device... Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 43 / 65 Washing stage 38 / 55 is located above the drying unit to remove the solvent, i.e., DMF, by washing the treated textile parts with water.

[0089] 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 textiles from a first extraction chamber to a subsequent extraction chamber, with solvent feeding means, these solvent feeding means being configured to feed the solution comprising solvent and extracted material that exits from each extraction chamber to the previous extraction chamber.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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 towards an extraction chamber and upwards towards a centrifuge (i.e., between an extraction chamber and a centrifuge), with respect to the tissue flow, and / or each storage tank being arranged downwards towards a centrifuge and Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, p. 44 / 65 39 / 55 upwards for an extraction chamber.

[0092] 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; - Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the process and apparatus of the invention, including 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 is a photograph showing the appearance of the textile material (small pieces of polyester fabric) after the size reduction step, before the extraction step; Figure 5 is a photograph showing the appearance of the textile material (small pieces of polyester fabric) at the end of the process.

[0093] In the attached drawings, 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 composed of the solvent and the extracted material.

[0094] With reference to the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1, textile waste materials are collected and pre-treated to reduce the size of the fabric in a fabric size reduction device 1. For example, the Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, pages 45 / 65 40 / 55 Textile Size Reduction Device 1 may be a cutting machine, suitable for cutting fabrics and garments into pieces, i.e., scraps, or a machine suitable for converting fabrics and / or garments into fibers. The size of the fabric pieces has been previously revealed in the description: a sample of light blue polyester fabric reduced to pieces with a size of at least 90% in the range of 2.0 mm to 2.5 mm is shown in Figure 4.

[0095] The textile material, after size reduction pre-treatment, is transported to an extraction chamber 2.

[0096] In extraction chamber 2, the textile material is extracted (treated) with a solvent to provide a solution comprising solvent and extracted material, said extracted material including at least one dye. During said step b), said solvent, or said solution comprising solvent and extracted material, circulates through said textile material entering said extraction chamber 2 and exiting said extraction chamber 2. Extraction chamber 2 is maintained in a static, i.e., immobile condition during step b). The textile materials, for example, fabrics, clothing or fibers, housed in extraction chamber 2, are also in an immobile, i.e., static condition, except for possible movement transmitted by the flow of solvent circulating, for example, with a pump P, through static extraction chamber 2 and through the fabrics. Preferably, the fabrics are maintained in a static condition.In a preferred embodiment, the textile material is in a compressed condition; in this embodiment, the fabrics are preferably in the form of... Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 46 / 65 41 / 55 fibers or tufts of fibers, obtained by a textile opening process using ripping machines, such as those marketed by Laroche, Dell'Orco & Villani (IT) and Trützschler (DE).

[0097] According to the realizations, extraction step b) has a duration of 2 minutes to 20 minutes, preferably 5 min to 15 min, more preferably 7.5 min to 12.5 min, most preferably 10 min.

[0098] According to the embodiments, 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 140°C, preferably 82°C to 135°C. The maximum temperature may be around 110°C when the polyester is not dyed with dope, but is dyed, for example, with disperse dyes.

[0099] Advantageously, the conditions of extraction step b) can be adjusted according to the composition of the textile material to be treated.

[0100] 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 comprises at least 90% Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, p. 47 / 65 42 / 55 by weight of polyester fibers, dyed with at least one disperse dye, and a maximum of 10% by weight of elastane fibers, 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, and is preferably around 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 around 100°C.

[0101] 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 textiles.

[0102] According to the invention, the solution comprising solvent and extracted material can be recirculated during step b), exiting and entering extraction chamber 2, maintaining the tissues and extraction chamber 2 in a static (i.e., immobile) condition.

[0103] According to the realizations, at the end of stage b), the textiles are transported to a centrifuge 3 for Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 48 / 65 43 / 55 removal of the residual solution comprising solvent and extracted material from the tissues, according to step c). In some 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, optionally, solvent washing, water washing and drying. In some embodiments, extraction, centrifugation, washing and drying can be performed in one machine, for example, in a solvent cleaning machine; the same machine may also include a distillation unit.

[0104] 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.

[0105] 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 example, 1200, 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 the chamber of Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, page 49 / 65 44 / 55 extraction 2 to treat another batch of textile material, for example, a new batch of textile material.

[0106] In embodiments, after centrifugation, the textile material can be washed inside centrifuge 3. The washing can be carried out, for example, using fresh 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 to centrifuge 3 from the fresh solvent tank 6. The temperature of said clean solvent in said centrifuge during the solvent washing step 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 around 95°C. The washed material is centrifuged to remove the solvent used for washing. The solvent or mixture of solvent, water, a reducing agent and a base is recovered and, preferably, fed into extraction chamber 2 for the treatment of another batch of textile material.

[0107] According to Fig. 1, after centrifugation, the textile material is dried in a drying device 4.

[0108] When the extracted material in the solution comprising solvent and an extracted material reaches a concentration where further extraction of the dye is impaired, the solution comprising solvent and extracted material is fed, from said extraction chamber 2 and / or said centrifuge 3, to a distillation device 5, whereby said solvent is separated from said extracted material. The distilled solvent is then transported to a fresh tank solvent 6 for Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, pp. 50 / 65 45 / 55 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.

[0109] In one embodiment, said textile material is selected from polyester fibers, fabrics consisting of polyester fibers, fabric scraps consisting of polyester fibers, ground polyester fibers 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 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 scraps and polyester powder.

[0110] 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 in said extraction chamber and preferably in the washing step in the centrifuge after a first centrifugation Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, pp. 51 / 65 46 / 55 is in the range of 85°C to 105°C, preferably around 95°C.

[0111] 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 preferably 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.

[0112] 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.

[0113] 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 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, pages 52 / 65 47 / 55 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 solvent and extracted material obtained in the second extraction chamber after the second extraction step b) performed on the previous batch of treated tissues. The solution comprising solvent and extracted material is recirculated during step b), exiting and entering the first extraction chamber 2a, maintaining the tissues and extraction chamber 2 in a static (i.e., immobile) condition.

[0114] According to the embodiments, at the end of step b), the fabrics 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 fabrics, 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 the embodiments, after centrifugation, the solvent solution and extracted material are transported back to extraction chamber 2 to treat another batch of textile material.

[0115] 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 subsequently extracted (treated) with a solvent, to provide a solution comprising solvent and extracted material, said extracted material including Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, pp. 53 / 65 48 / 55 at least one dye. Preferably, when the apparatus includes more than one extraction chamber, the solvent used in the second extraction chamber can be a fresh solvent. The textile material is kept in a static state inside extraction chamber 2b throughout the extraction step.

[0116] In analogy with the embodiment of Figure 1, with reference to Figure 2, in the embodiments, the solvent that was not collected by the textiles 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) can be fed from at least one solvent reservoir to extraction chambers 2a and 2b.

[0117] In 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 Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, pages 54 / 65 49 / 55 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.

[0118] In the same way as in extraction chamber 2a, the resulting solution comprising solvent and extracted material is recirculated during step b), exiting and entering the second extraction chamber 2b, keeping the tissues and extraction chamber 2b in a static (i.e., immobile) condition.

[0119] At the end of step b), the fabrics 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 fabrics, according to step c). In the embodiments, after centrifugation, the solvent solution and extracted material are transported back to the second extraction chamber 2b for treatment of another batch of textile material.

[0120] 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.

[0121] In embodiments, after centrifugation in the second centrifuge 2b, the textile material can be washed in the second centrifuge 3b. The washed material is centrifuged to remove the solvent used for washing. The solvent or mixture of solvent, water, a reducing agent and a base is recovered and preferably transported to the second extraction chamber 2b for treatment of another batch. Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, pages 55 / 65 50 / 55 of textile materials.

[0122] According to Fig. 2, after the second centrifugation in the second centrifuge 3b, the textile material is dried in a drying device 4.

[0123] When the extracted material in the solution comprising solvent and an 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 to a distillation device 5, whereby said solvent is separated from said extracted material. The distilled solvent is then conveyed to a fresh solvent tank 6 for storage. When necessary, fresh solvent can be fed from the fresh solvent tank 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 the fresh solvent tank 6 to the second centrifuge 3b to perform tissue washing. Optionally, fresh solvent can be fed from the fresh solvent tank 6 to the first centrifuge 3a to perform tissue washing.

[0124] 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.

[0125] In the realization 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, Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, pages 56 / 65 51 / 55 Figures 8c and 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).

[0126] 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 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.

[0127] 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 is then 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.

[0128] The solution comprising solvent and extracted material obtained in each extraction chamber is recirculated Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, pages 57 / 65 52 / 55 during step b), exiting and re-entering the same extraction chamber, keeping the tissues and the extraction chamber in a static (i.e., immobile) condition.

[0129] In the 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 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 transported back to extraction chamber 2d.

[0130] 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 fed into the previous (third) extraction chamber 2c, for the third extraction phase of the subsequent batch of tissues, particularly after that, the solvent, i.e., the solution comprising the solvent and extracted material, used in the first extraction tank 2a, has reached a concentration of extracted material that impairs further dye extraction, and the solution comprising solvent and extracted material is Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, pp. 58 / 65 53 / 55 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 tissues. 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 tissues. Advantageously, the amount of dye in the tissue is progressively reduced from the first 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 that includes the solvent and the 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, then 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.

[0131] Figure 4 and Figure 5 visually show the reduction in dye content from the initial reduced-size polyester material (Fig. 4) to the same material at the end. Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, pp. 59 / 65 54 / 55 of the process (Fig. 5).

[0132] The invention will be illustrated by reference to the following non-limiting examples.

[0133] EXAMPLE 1 1.5 kg of textile waste (90% PET (disperse dyed) - 10% cotton (reactive dyed)) was placed in the extraction chamber. 15 L of solvent (DMF) was added to the extraction chamber and heated to 90-95°C. After 10 min of extraction with solvent circulation, the fabrics were sent directly to the centrifuge and the solvent was removed at a g-force of 1200 for 2-3 min. Then, the fabrics were sent to the second extractor and 15 L of DMF-water were poured in the presence of a reducing agent (Na2S2O4) and base (NaOH) to remove reactive 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.

[0134] EXAMPLE 2 1.5 kg of textile waste (90% PET (disperse dyed) - 10% cotton (reactive dyed)) was placed in the extractor. 15 L of DMF-water (in the presence of a reducing agent and base) was added to the extraction chamber and heated to 90-95°C. After 10 min of extraction with solvent circulation, the fabrics were sent directly to the centrifuge and the solvent was removed at a g-force of 1200 for 2-3 min. Then, the fabrics were sent to the second extraction chamber and 15 L of DMF 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. Petition 870250076990, dated 08 / 29 / 2025, pages 60 / 65 55 / 55

[0135] The claimed process and apparatus therefore 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 textiles can then be recycled in a manner known per se.

Claims

1. A process for removing dyes from a textile material, particularly from 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, 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 with a solvent to provide a solution comprising solvent and extracted material, said extracted material including at least one dye, said textile material being held in an immobile state and said solvent circulating through said textiles and said extraction chamber; (c) removing said solvent and extracted material solution from said textile;The 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 steps b) and c) are repeated, preferably for a predefined number of cycles or until the amount of extracted material in the solution comprising solvent and extracted material reaches a concentration where further dye extraction is impaired.

2. Process, according to claim 1, characterized in that at least part of said polyester is dyed, preferably dyed with at least a disperse dye or dyed with dope, and said textile material is selected from fibers, fiber tufts, filaments, yarns, fabrics, fabric scraps, garment scraps, garment scraps and mixtures thereof, preferably said textile waste is pressed in said extraction chamber or in a basket housed in said extraction chamber.

3. A process according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said step c) includes a separation step of said solution comprising solvent and material extracted from said tissue by centrifugation, said step c) being carried out in a centrifuge, said extraction chamber preferably being configured to operate as a centrifuge.

4. Process, according to claim 3, characterized in that, after said step c) the solvent, preferably fresh solvent, is fed to the centrifuged fabric present in said centrifuge and a washing step of said fabric is carried out in said centrifuge to remove the dyes from said centrifuged fabric.

5. Process, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 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 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.

6. Process according to claim 5, characterized in that the solvent removed from a second extraction chamber and / or from said second centrifuge, preferably from said second extraction chamber, is fed into said first extraction chamber.

7. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that steps b) and c) are repeated more than twice in more than two extraction chambers and centrifuges, and wherein the solvent removed from any extraction chamber other than the first chamber is fed to the previous extraction chamber, said solvent used in said step b) being in the form of a solution comprising solvent and an extracted material, said extracted material including at least one dye.

8. Process, according to any one of claims 1 to 7, 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, optionally during said solvent washing step, is in the range of Petition 870260041862, dated 05 / 05 / 2026, p. 9 / 14 4 / 8 80°C to 140°C, preferably 82°C to 135°C, more preferably 82°C to 110°C.

9. Process, according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the ratio of tissue bath / solvent (kg / liter) is in the range of 1 / 3 to 1 / 20, preferably from 1 / 3.5 to 1 / 12, more preferably from 1 / 4 to 1 / 10.

10. Process, according to any one of claims 1 to 9, 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.

11. A process, according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said fabric comprises polyester fibers and comprises 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 is in the range of 85°C to 105°C, preferably about 95°C.

12. Process, according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said fabric comprises polyester fibers and further comprises at least one cellulosic material, preferably Petition 870260041862, dated 05 / 05 / 2026, p.10 / 14 5 / 8 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 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, 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 washing step is in the range of 85°C to 110°C, preferably around 95°C.

13. Process, according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said fabric 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 polyester fibers being dyed with at least one disperse dye.11 / 14 6 / 8 said cotton fibers are dyed with at least one dye selected from vat dyes, reactive dyes, pigments, direct dyes and sulfur dyes, said solvent being a mixture of DMF and water comprising a base and, optionally, at least one reducing agent, said temperature of said solvent or of said solution comprising solvent and extracted material in said extraction chamber and, optionally, in said washing step being in the range of 95°C to 105°C, preferably around 100°C.

14. Process, according to any one of claims 1 to 15, 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.

15. Apparatus for removing dyes from a fabric, preferably a textile, in a process according to any previous claim, characterized in that it comprises at least one extraction chamber (2) configured to treat said textile material with said solvent, pump means or circulation means (P) to circulate said solvent through said extraction chamber (2) and said textile waste, 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 Petition 870260041862, dated 05 / 05 / 2026, p.12 / 14 7 / 8 distillation device (5), wherein 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), and said distillation device (5) 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 extraction chamber (2) being configured to operate as said centrifuge (3).

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that said apparatus comprises a plurality of extraction chambers (2a-2d) and a plurality of centrifuges (3a-3d), said extraction chambers (2a-2d) and said centrifuges (3a-3d) being arranged in series, means for feeding said tissue along said series of extraction chambers (2a-2d) and centrifuges (3a-3d) to provide a tissue flow, with at least one centrifuge (3) connected, directly or indirectly, to an extraction chamber (2) upwards relative to the tissue flow and connected to another extraction chamber (2) downwards relative to said tissue flow. Petition 870260041862, dated 05 / 05 / 2026, p. 13 / 14 8 / 8 17. Apparatus, according to any one of claims 15 or 16, characterized in that each extraction chamber is connected to the previous extraction chamber with solvent feeding means configured to feed said solution comprising solvent and extracted material exiting each extraction chamber to said previous extraction chamber, and wherein only the last extraction chamber of said series is connected to said fresh solvent storage tank, said fresh solvent storage tank being configured to feed said solvent only to the last extraction chamber.

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