Colorant removal from polyester materials for recycling

Abstract

Chemical processing techniques for removing colorant from polyester materials for recycling are described. According to an embodiment, a method for producing a purified polyester material, can comprise contacting a heated solution comprising a solvent to a polyester material as positioned within a vessel, wherein the polyester material comprises one or more additive components, and removing at least some of the one or more additive components from the polyester material as a result of the contacting, resulting in a transformation of the polyester material into the purified polyester material. In an example, the solvent comprises a ketone, an ether, an ester, an alcohol and / or a carbonate. The one or more additive components can include a colorant and / or other contaminates.

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