Recycling of material residue including polymeric materials

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for recycling of material residue from one or more textiles: providing one or more physical material identifier(s) of the one or more textiles and material data associated with material containing synthetic polymer(s); providing one or more recycling unit identifier(s) associated with a recycling unit for collecting the material residue from the material of the one or more textiles; generating one or more recycling instruction(s) based on the recycling unit identifier(s) and the material data; providing the generated recycling instructions for recycling of the material residue from the one or more textiles. Disclosed are further methods, apparatuses, uses, computer programs and computer-readable media.

Description

[0001] RECYCLING OF MATERIAL RESIDUE INCLUDING POLYMERIC MATERIALS

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a method for recycling material residue from a material containing synthetic polymers. The present disclosure includes related methods, apparatuses, computer programs and computer-readable media.

[0004] TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0005] In the use of polymeric materials such as Polyamide 6 and Polyamide 6.6 scrap material is often disposed. Valuable material is hence lost or must be recycled in a costly manner. To recycle such scrap materials, in particular polymeric materials used, for example, in the textile industry, the process of collecting scrap material needs to be simplified.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Disclosed is an apparatus for recycling of material residue (104) from a material (102) containing a polyamide: a material provider interface configured to provide one or more physical material identifier(s) and material data associated with the material (102) containing the polyamide; a recycling unit provider interface configured to provide one or more recycling unit identifier(s) associated with recycling unit(s) (106) for collecting material residue (104) from the material (102) containing the polyamide; a recycling instruction generator configured to generate one or more recycling instruction(s) based on the one or more recycling unit identifier(s) and the material data; an output interface configured to provide the generated recycling instruction(s) for recycling of the material residue.

[0008] Disclosed is an apparatus for recycling material residue from a material containing one or more synthetic polymer(s): a material provider interface configured to provide a physical material identifier and material data associated with the material containing the synthetic polymer(s), e.g. the material residue from the material containing synthetic polymers; a recycling unit provider interface configured to provide a recycling unit identifier associated with a recycling unit for collecting the material residue from the material containing synthetic polymer(s); a recycling instruction generator configured to generate one or more recycling instruction (s) based on the recycling unit identifier and the material data; an output interface configured to provide the generated recycling instruction(s) for recycling of the material residue. Disclosed is a method for recycling of material residue (104) from a material (102) containing a polyamide: providing one or more physical material identifier(s) and material data associated with the material containing the polyamide(s); providing one or more recycling unit identifier(s) associated with recycling unit(s) (106) for collecting the material residue (104) from the material (102) containing the polyamide; generating one or more recycling instruction(s) based on the one or more recycling unit identifier(s) and the material data; providing the generated recycling instruction (s) for recycling of the material residue.

[0009] Disclosed is a method for recycling material residue from a material containing one or more synthetic polymer(s): providing a physical material identifier and material data associated with the material containing the synthetic polymer(s), e.g. material residue from the material containing synthetic polymer(s), providing a recycling unit identifier associated with a recycling unit for collecting the material residue from the material containing synthetic polymer(s); generating one or more recycling instruction(s) based on the recycling unit identifier and the material data; providing the generated recycling instruction(s) for recycling of the material residue.

[0010] Disclosed is an apparatus for recycling of material residue from a material containing one or more synthetic polymer(s): a material provider interface configured to provide one or more physical material identifier(s) and material data associated with the material containing synthetic polymer(s), preferably wherein material data is accessed via the one or more physical material identifier(s), preferably wherein the material data relates to the material the material residue is produced from; a recycling unit provider interface configured to provide one or more recycling unit identifier(s) associated with recycling unit(s) for collecting material residue from the material containing synthetic polymer(s); a recycling instruction generator configured to generate one or more recycling instruction (s) based on the one or more recycling unit identifier(s) and the material data; an output interface configured to provide the generated recycling instruction(s) for recycling of the material residue.

[0011] Disclosed is a method for recycling of material residue from a material containing one or more synthetic polymer(s): providing one or more physical material identifier(s) and material data associated with the material containing synthetic polymer(s), preferably wherein material data is accessed via the one or more physical material identifiers), preferably wherein the material data relates to the material the material residue is produced from; providing one or more recycling unit identifier(s) associated with recycling unit(s) for collecting the material residue from the material containing synthetic polymer(s); generating one or more recycling instruction(s) based on the one or more recycling unit identifier(s) and the material data; providing the generated recycling instruction(s) for recycling of the material residue.

[0012] Disclosed is a computer-readable medium or a computer program with instructions, which when executed on a processor or a computing node, perform the steps of the methods disclosed herein. A computer-readable medium or a computer program with instructions, which when executed on a processor, perform the steps as provided by the apparatus disclosed herein.

[0013] Disclosed is the use of the recycling instruction(s) generated according to any of the methods disclosed herein for recycling a material residue from material containing one or more synthetic polymer(s). Use of the recycling instructions generated by any of the apparatuses disclosed herein for recycling a material residue from material containing one or more synthetic polymer(s).

[0014] Disclosed is a method for using recycling instruction(s) generated according to any of the methods disclosed herein to recycle a material residue from material containing one or more synthetic polymer(s). A method for using recycling instruction(s) generated by any of the apparatuses disclosed herein to recycle a material residue from material containing one or more synthetic polymer(s).

[0015] EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Any disclosure and embodiments described herein relate to the methods, the apparatuses, the systems, and the computer program elements lined out herein and vice versa. Advantageously, the benefits provided by any of the embodiments and examples equally apply to all other embodiments and examples and vice versa.

[0017] As used herein "determining" also includes "initiating or causing to determine", "querying, accessing, correlating" also includes "initiating or causing to query, access, correlate" and "providing” also includes "initiating or causing to determine, generate, select, send or receive”. "Initiating or causing to perform an action” includes any processing signal that triggers a computing device to perform the respective action.

[0018] The methods, apparatuses, systems and computer elements disclosed herein provide an efficient, secure and robust way for sharing or exchanging data between different participants of the material chain, e.g. producer, user and / or recycler of the material. In particular, by making the material data available on the collection of material residue or scrap material into a recycling unit (e.g., a receptacle or bale), the recycling can be processed in a more reliable, safer and cost-effective manner than known to date. A "recycling unit” refers to a consolidated collection of material residue or scrap material that has been combined, secured, or packaged together as a single unit for the purpose of transportation, handling, or storage. It involves assembling multiple individual scrap items or materials into a cohesive and manageable load, which can be efficiently moved, stored, or processed as a single entity. The recycling unit may refer to material residue or scrap material in a container (e.g., bag or bin). The recycling unit may also refer to textiles that have reached their end of life (i.e., EOL'd textile(s)). The recycling unit may also refer to compressed bales of material residue or scrap material (or EOL'd textile(s)), which are formed by compressing and securing large quantities of materials together for efficient transport and storage. A receptacle refers to an object or container used for collecting, storing, or holding recyclable materials temporarily. It serves as a receptacle or receptacle-like structure that allows for the convenient and organized collection of various types of recyclables. A receptacle may be a bag, bale, roll-off container, drum, barrel, and the like.

[0019] Recycling of material residue is particularly challenging, since the material composition, manufacturer or the like cannot be easily tracked for material residue. In particular any identification element associated with the intact material are lost for the material residue. The use of recycling unit identifier associated with a recycling unit for collecting material residue and the material data accessed via the physical material identifier(s) for generating one or more recycling instruction(s) allows to overcome such difficulty.

[0020] In an embodiment, the material residue includes residues resulting during production of the material containing the at least one synthetic polymer, residues resulting from the use of said material and / or residues resulting from the use of a component produced based on or from said material. Material residue may be residues resulting during production of the material containing the at least one synthetic polymer, residues resulting from the use of said material or residues resulting from the use of a component produced from or based on said material. For instance, residues may be production residues, such as residues of material remaining within the apparatus used to produce the material containing the at least one synthetic polymer. In another instance, residues may be produced during use of the material, for example during production of a component or use of a component produced from or based on said material. Said residues produced during production of a component or use of the component containing the material may be scrap material. Scrap material may be produced during cutting the material or the component containing the material e.g. to a required form and / or size. Material residue may relate to pre- or post-consumer residue. The material containing one or more synthetic polymer(s) may refer to different material types(s) containing one or more synthetic polymer(s). The material containing one or more synthetic polymer(s) may include material produced by different material producers).

[0021] In another embodiment, the synthetic polymer may be a chemical compound which is produced by a chemical production from one or more starting material(s), such as monomers, and which comprises at least two monomer units. The monomer units may be regarded as subunits of the polymer. The polymer may be prepared from the monomers by commonly known polymerization reactions. The polymer may be produced from a single type of monomers or from different monomers. The monomer units may be distributed randomly or may be present as blocks within the polymer. The polymer may be a linear polymer. The polymer may be a branched polymer.

[0022] The polymer may be a linear polymer. The synthetic polymer may be used to produce material containing the synthetic polymer. The material may be used to produce a component. The material may be embodied in a discrete component, such as filaments, yarns, fabrics, and other textile products. The component may be produced from the material. The component may contain the material. The component may be a textile. The component may be used for different applications, e.g. of textiles. The component may be used to produce a product. Any reference to material may include the reference to the component embodying the materials, the component produced from the material or the component containing the material. The component may refer to a discrete unit, such as a package of the material, a component produced from or containing the material, a batch of components produced from or containing the material or combinations thereof.

[0023] In one embodiment the material data is associated with the material the material residue is produced from. The material data may be accessed or accessible via or through the one or more physical material identifier(s). The material data associated with the one or more physical material identifier(s) may be provided by a producer of the material, e.g. on production of the material. The physical material identifier may be uniquely associated with a producer and / or material data associated with the material. The physical material identifier may be uniquely associated with the physical entity of the material. The physical material identifier may be uniquely associated with an individual entity of the material. The physical entity or individual entity may comprise one or more component(s) containing the material or produced based on or from the material. The physical material identifier may thus allow the tracking of material residues from the material. For instance, the material identifier may be uniquely associated with the material entity such as clothing, technical textiles, or home textiles. The physical material identifier may be a digital identifier uniquely associated with the physical entity of the material. Physical in this context refers to the digital identification of the physical entity of the material. The material identifier and physical material identifier may be used interchangeably. The material residue may be the material residue of one or more textiles. The physical material identifier(s) may be physical material identifier(s) of the one or more textiles.

[0024] The material identifier may be part of a material passport provided to a central or decentral network. The material identifier may be provided to the central or decentral network and associated with the material data. The material identifier may be provided to the central or decentral network and associated with a public key for accessing the material data. The material identifier may be provided to the central or decentral network and associated with an authentication mechanism, such as a public key, for accessing the material data. The material identifier may be provided to the central or decentral network and associated with a representation of the material data, such as a link or pointer to the material data. The material passport may include the material identifier, the representation of or linking to the material data and / or the authentication mechanism for accessing the material data.

[0025] The material identifier may be uniquely associated with a producer and / or material data associated with the material at the time of production of the material. At the time of production of the material may include any point leading to production of the material. At the time of production of the material may include on production of the material, on providing the material to be used or at production of the material. By providing the physical material identifier on production the material can be traced. In another embodiment the material data is accessed via the one or more physical material identifier(s). The material data associated with the physical material identifier may be accessed prior to or on recycling of the material residue. The material data may be accessed or provided prior to use of the material leading to the material residue or after use of the material leading to the material residue, e.g. if the identifier element providing the physical material identifiers was attached to the packaging of the material, while the identifier element is still intact. In addition, the recycling unit identifier(s) may be provided. The recycling unit identifier(s) may be associated with the recycling unit(s) to be filled with the material residue stemming from the material the material data is provided for. This way the material data may specify the material residue content of the recycling unit.

[0026] The material data may be accessed based on the authentication mechanism, such as the public key provided to the central or decentral network. The material data may be stored in a data base of a central computing system and may be accessed by a user apparatus associated with the user of the material and / or a recycling apparatus associated with the recycler of the material via the authentication mechanism. The material data may be stored in a data base associated with the producer. The material data may be accessed by a user apparatus associated with the user of the material and / or a recycling apparatus associated with the recycler of the material via the authentication mechanism. The authentication mechanism may be based on a private key and a public key associated with or connected to the physical material identifier.

[0027] Prior to recycling may include any point in time between providing the material for use and recycling the scrap or residue. Prior to recycling may include any point in time between providing the material for use and collecting the scrap or residue. Prior to recycling may include any point in time between providing the material for use and collecting the scrap or residue in a recycling unit. On recycling may include any point in time when scrap or residue incurs. By providing the physical material identifier on production, the material data of the manufacturer can be safely accessed on recycling and used for recycling. This way the material data can be efficiently used to operate the recycling process.

[0028] The material data may be collected (e.g., may be available) where the material residue or scrap material is created. In the textile value chain, several participants might produce waste including textile manufacturers, subcontractors, retailers, consumers, and the like. Collecting data at the point of waste creation offers several advantages include waste reduction (e.g., participants can gain insights into the types, quantities, and causes of waste which may enable them to identify areas for waste reduction, optimize production processes, and implement measures to minimize waste generation), resource optimization (e.g., material data collected at the point of waste creation helps participants understand the composition of waste material and this knowledge may enable the identification of recycling or recovery opportunities, promoting resource optimization and circular economy practices), and the like.

[0029] In another embodiment the material data includes chemical composition data of the material and / or manufacturing data of the material. Material data may include the trade name of the material, the chemical composition of the material and / or the manufacturing specifics of the material. The material data like chemical composition data of the material, manufacturing data of the material and / or the application data of the material may be used to generate the recycling instructions that relate to a physical filling of recycling units with material residue, a physical collection of recycling units, a physical sorting of recycling units and / or a physical recycling of the material residue provided by a recycling plant. Physical recycling refers to any recycling process or plant such as mechanical or chemical recycling process or plant. For instance, the chemical composition may be used to generate recycling instructions for physical filling (or forming, for example, in the case of a bale) of recycling units with material residue, physical collection of filled (or formed) recycling units, physical sorting of filled (or formed) recycling units and / or physical recycling of the material residue provided by a recycling plant. This way the recyclate composition can be controlled by controlling the material residue stream into recycling plants along the material use cycle. Further for instance, the manufacturing data, such as manufacturer, manufacturing method or educts used for manufacturing, may be used to generate recycling instructions for physical filling (or forming) of recycling units with material residue, physical collection of filled (or formed) recycling units, physical sorting of filled (or formed) recycling units and / or physical recycling of the material residue provided by a recycling plant. Further for instance, the application data, such as use of the material in a specific application, may be used to generate recycling instructions for physical filling (or forming) of recycling units with material residue, physical collection of filled (or formed) recycling units, physical sorting of filled (or formed) recycling units and / or physical recycling of the material residue provided by a recycling plant. This way the recyclate composition can be controlled by controlling the material residue stream into recycling plants along the material use cycle.

[0030] In another embodiment a material identifier element is connected to the material, wherein at least the physical material identifier is encoded in, to or on the material identifier element. In another embodiment the material identifier element is physically connected to the material. The identifier element may be physically attached to the material or the component. The identifier element may be physically attached to the packaging of multiple materials or components. The physical material identifier in the digital world may be linked to the material entity in the real world. The physical material identifier may be the digital twin associated with the physical entity of the material. This way the virtual or digital identifier of the material may be uniquely linked to the physical entity of the material. Such linking may include a physical link of identifiers uniquely associated with the physical entity of the material. For physical linking a tag or code may be physically connected to the material, e.g., by printing a QR code or an RFID tag or using other sensors or methods.

[0031] In another embodiment a recycling unit identifier element is connected to the recycling unit, wherein at least the recycling unit identifier is encoded in, to or on the recycling unit identifier element. In another embodiment the recycling unit identifier element is physically connected to the recycling unit.

[0032] In another embodiment the recycling unit identifier and the material data may be used to determine a price for the recyclate. In another embodiment, the recycling unit identifier and the material data may be used to determine a quality value of the recyclate. The physical recycling unit identifier in the digital world may be linked to the recycling unit in the real world. The recycling unit identifier may be associated with the physical entity of the recycling unit. This way the virtual identifier of the recycling unit may be uniquely linked to the physical recycling unit. Such linking may include a physical link of identifiers uniquely associated with the physical respectable. For physical linking a tag or code may be physically connected to the recycling unit, e.g., by printing a QR code or an RFID tag or using other sensors or methods.

[0033] In another embodiment providing the recycling unit identifier includes generating the recycling unit identifier for connection to the recycling unit. If the recycling unit is not associated with the recycling unit identifier on recycling, the recycling unit identifier may be generated. This provides more flexible handling of material residues and dynamic recycling unit generation depending on residues incurring.

[0034] In another embodiment the material identifier element includes a machine-readable code associated with the physical material identifier and / or the recycling unit identifier element includes a machine-readable code associated with the recycling unit identifier. The machine-readable code may be a one- or two-dimensional bar code or other codes. The machine-readable code may be a code stored on a passive or active electronic tag, such as an RFID tag or using other sensors or methods.

[0035] In another embodiment a material identifier element is connected to a textile, wherein at least the physical material identifier is encoded in, to or on the material identifier element. In another embodiment the material identifier element is physically connected to the textile. The identifier element may be physically attached to the textile. The identifier element may be physically attached to the packaging of multiple textiles. The physical material identifier in the digital world may be linked to the material entity in the real world. The physical material identifier may be the digital twin associated with the physical entity of the textile. This way the virtual or digital identifier of the material may be uniquely linked to the physical entity of the textile. Such linking may include a physical link of identifiers uniquely associated with the physical entity of the textile. For physical linking a tag or code may be physically connected to the textile, e.g., by printing a QR code or an RFID tag or using other sensors or methods.

[0036] In another embodiment a quantity of material residue, a number of recycling units and / or a type of material residue is provided. The type of material residue may be provided by the material data.

[0037] The number of recycling units may be provided by the number of recycling unit identifiers provided.

[0038] The quantity of material residue may be provided by measurement such as weighing. The recycling instructions may be generated based on or from the quantity of material residue, the number of recycling units and / or the type of material residue. The quantity may relate to a mass, volume or weight of the material residue. This way the amount of material to be recycled can be tracked and taken into account on operating the recycling process. For instance, the quantities of material in one or more recycling units may be tracked. The number of recycling units may also be used to determine the quantity of material residue. Such quantities may be used to determine for example the total quantity of material available in different locations, the collection route for collecting the recycling unit at different locations, the collection time for collecting the recycling units at different locations, or the expected quantity of recyclate available for material.

[0039] The quality of material residue may be provided by measurement such as spectroscopy. The recycling instructions may be generated based on or from the quality of material residue and / or the type of material residue. The quality may relate to a purity, particle size, fiber length, color, or other physical or chemical characteristic of the material residue. This way the quality of material to be recycled can be tracked and taken into account on operating the recycling process. For instance, the quality of material in one or more recycling units may be tracked. The quality of the materials in a number of recycling units may also be used to determine the quality of material residue. Such quality measurements qualities may be used to determine the collection route for collecting the recycling unit at different locations, the collection time for collecting the recycling units at different locations, or the expected quality of recyclate available for material.

[0040] NIR (Near-Infrared) spectroscopy may be used to sort material residue (e.g., textile material residue). Sorting with NIR (Near-Infrared) spectroscopy may involve identifying and classifying different types of textile materials based on their spectral characteristics. NIR spectroscopy utilizes the absorption and reflection of near-infrared light to create a unique spectral fingerprint for each material. This sorting process enables efficient recycling or appropriate disposal of textile waste based on its material composition, contributing to better waste management practices and resource recovery in the textile industry.

[0041] For example, material data relating to a type of polyamide in textile waste, for instance, may preferably be acquired already upon collecting the item, such as from a textile waste collection site, wherein the data may then be loaded to the digital twin of the item such that this data is accessible and no longer has to be acquired at the granulation site. One possible device that can be used to identify an amount of polyamide 6 in a given textile item, particularly in distinction to an amount of polyamide 6.6 in the textile item, would be a semi-automatic handheld device or a fully automatic device using a near-infrared system for acquiring near-infrared spectra from the textile item. It has been found that polyamide 6 contents of textile items can be determined based on peaks in near-infrared spectra of the textile items.

[0042] In fact, verifying an amount of a predetermined type of polyamide such as polyamide 6 in textile waste upon collection allows producers of textile items with, for instance, particularly high amounts of the respective type of polyamide to check whether the collected textile waste is waste originating from their own production. Hence, such producers are enabled to establish a producer-specific, closed recycling system. This can also help in maintaining the particularly high amount of polyamide in the produced textile items, since less or no waste with lower amounts of the respective type of polyamide enters the recycling circle. The data associated with an amount of at least one predetermined type of polyamide in a textile item, which may be included in a digital twin for the textile item, may be based on an identification of at least one peak in a near-infrared spectrum of the textile item. A near-infrared spectrum of a textile item can be acquired using known near-infrared spectrometer devices. The identification of the spectrum may be carried out manually, in which case a result thereof may be provided as input to the computer-implemented method referred to herein, or may be carried out as part of the computer-implemented method presented herein.

[0043] It may be particularly preferred that the at least one predetermined type of polyamide refers to at least one of polyamide 6 and polyamide 6.6. For these types of polyamides, it has particularly been found that the near-infrared spectral region carries accurate information about an amount of the respective polyamide in a respective textile item. The information may be retrieved from a respective spectrum or spectral region in terms of a position of one or more spectral peaks.

[0044] The value of material residue may be provided by measurement such as weight, purity, chemical composition, and the like. The recycling instructions may be generated based on or from the value of material residue and / or the type of material residue. The value may relate to a purity, particle size, fiber length, color, or other physical or chemical characteristic of the material residue. This way the value of material to be recycled can be tracked and taken into account on operating the recycling process. For instance, the value of material in one or more recycling units may be tracked. The value of the materials in a number of recycling units may also be used to determine the value of the material residue. Such value measurements may be used to determine the collection route for collecting the recycling unit at different locations, the collection time for collecting the recycling units at different locations, or the expected quality of recyclate available for material.

[0045] In another embodiment the physical material identifier is associated with material residue to be filled to one or more recycling unit(s) and the recycling unit identifier is associated with respective recycling units. The physical material identifier(s) and the recycling unit identifier(s) signifying the recycling units filled with associated material residue may be digitally linked to each other. The physical material identifier and the recycling unit identifier may be digitally linked. By linking the physical material identifier and the recycling unit identifier to each other the material residue to be recycled or recycled can be sorted and tracked via the recycling unit identifier. This way complex sorting can be avoided, since the sorting may be done virtually. For sorting the recycling unit identifiers, the linked physical material identifiers may be used to access the material data related to the physical material identifiers. In particular sorting may be conducted by way of chemical composition provided by the material data.

[0046] In another embodiment multiple physical material identifier(s) are linked to at least one recycling unit identifier. If more than one material type is present in the material residue, respective physical material identifier(s) may be provided and linked to the recycling unit identifier associated with the recycling unit such material residues are collected in. This way the content of a recycling unit can be made transparent via the physical material identifier(s) and the associated material data. Based on the respective material data it may be determined, if the content of the recycling unit comprises a mix of material types or one type of material. If a mix of material types are collected per recycling unit, recycling instructions may be generated that include at least one sorting step.

[0047] Recycling instructions may be generated that relate to at least one sorting step followed by the recycling plant or process, such as mechanical and / or chemical recycling plant or process. If one type of material is present, recycling instructions may be generated that relate to the recycling plant or process, such as mechanical and / or chemical recycling plant or process. The recycling instructions may connect the recycling units with one material type directly to the recycling plant or process. In other words, the recycling instructions may not include a sorting step preceding the recycling plant process.

[0048] In another embodiment recycling instructions may be generated for recycling via or with dedicated recycling units associated with recycling unit identifier(s) or for recycling via or with recycling units to be associated with recycling unit identifier(s). In case of recycling unit(s) associated with recycling unit identifier(s), the recycling unit identifier may be provided via the recycling unit identifier element. In case of recycling unit(s) not associated with recycling unit identifier(s), a recycling unit identifier generator may be configured to generate and provide the recycling unit identifier. The recycling unit identifier generator may be configured to output the identifier element for connection to the recycling unit.

[0049] In another embodiment the physical material identifier(s) and the recycling unit identifier(s) signifying the recycling units filled with associated material residue are digitally linked to each other on providing the material, prior to usage of the material, on usage of the material, on providing the material to the location of use or after usage of the material. The recycling units may be provided with the material.

[0050] In another embodiment the recycling instructions relate to a physical collection, a physical sorting and / or a physical recycling of the material residue, e.g. by a recycling process, such as mechanical and / or chemical recycling. The recycling instructions may be determined based on material data. The material data may be accessed via the material identifier(s). The recycling instructions may be determined based on chemical composition. The chemical composition may be accessed via the material identifier(s).

[0051] In another embodiment the material is a monomer styrene containing material, for example, a Polyamide 6 material or a Polyamide 6.6 material. The material residue may be from a material containing synthetic polymer(s) such a Polyamide 6 or Polyamide 6.6 textile material.

[0052] In another embodiment the material provider interface is configured to provide access to a material passport associated with the material, wherein the material passport relates to the physical material identifier and the material data associated with the material. The material passport may comprise a decentral identifier and / or a digital representation of or linked to material data. The digital representation may include one or more representation (s) for accessing the material data or part(s) or subset(s) thereof. The digital representation may include one or more representation (s) of material data or part(s) or subset(s) thereof. The material passport may include data related to the material data, cryptographic information such as a public key and / or the decentral identifier. The data related to the material data may include the digital representation of the material data. The digital representation (s) pointing or linking to material data or parts thereof may comprise at least one interface to a data providing service. It may further include at least one interface to a data consuming service. It may include an endpoint for data exchange or sharing (resource endpoint) or an endpoint for service interaction (service Endpoint), that is uniquely identified via a communication protocol. The digital representations) pointing to material data or parts thereof may be uniquely associated with the decentral identifier.

[0053] The physical material identifier and / or the recycling unit identifier may be a or include decentral identifier. The decentral identifier may relate to any identifier uniquely associated with the material or the recycling unit. The decentral identifier may include an identifier associated with the material. The decentral identifier may include more than one identifier associated with the material and / or the recycling unit. The decentral identifier may include any unique identifier uniquely associated with a data owner and material data associated with the material.

[0054] The decentral identifier may include a Universally Unique I Dentifier (UUID) or a Digital IDentifier (DID). The decentral identifier may be issued by a central or decentral identity issuer. Via the decentral identifier and its unique association with the data owner and material data access to the material data may be controlled by the data owner. The data owner may be the producer of the material. This contrasts with central authority schemes, where identifiers are provided by the central authority and access to the data is controlled by such central authority. Decentral in this context refers to the usage of the identifier as controlled by the data owner. The decentral identifier may be connected to a digital representation of material data. The digital representation may include a representation for accessing the material data or parts thereof. The decentral identifier may be connected to authentication information and / or authorization information. The decentral identifier may comprise any unique identifier uniquely associated with the data owner and material data. The decentral identifier may include a Universally Unique IDentifier (UUID) or a Digital IDentifier (DID). The decentral identifier may be issued by a central or decentral identity issuer. The decentral identifier may include authentication information. Via the decentral identifier and its unique association with the physical entity and material data access to the material data may be controlled by the data owner, e.g. the producer of the material. This contrasts with central authority schemes, where identifiers are provided by such central authority and access to data is controlled by such central authority. Decentral in this context refers to the usage of the identifier in implementation as controlled by the data owner.

[0055] In an embodiment, the textile contains a polyamide.

[0056] In an embodiment, the polyamide is Polyamide 6.

[0057] In an embodiment, the material data associated with the one or more physical material identifier(s) are provided by a producer of the material. In an embodiment, the one or more physical material identifier(s) are provided by a material identifier element (103, 105) connected to the material (102), wherein at least the physical material identifier is encoded to the material identifier element (103, 105), wherein the material identifier element (103, 105) is physically connected to the material, wherein the physical material identifier is uniquely associated with the physical entity of the material (102).

[0058] In an embodiment, the material data is used to generate the recycling instructions that relate to a physical filling of recycling units with material residue, a physical collection of filled recycling units, a physical sorting of filled recycling units and / or a physical recycling of the material residue provided by a recycling plant.

[0059] In an embodiment, the recycling instructions further relate to a depolymerization process for recycling the material containing the polyamide.

[0060] In an embodiment, the one or more recycling unit identifier(s) are provided by a recycling unit identifier element (107) connected to the recycling unit (106), wherein at least the recycling unit identifier is encoded to the recycling unit identifier element (107), wherein the identifier element (107) is physically connected to the recycling unit (106).

[0061] In an embodiment, a quantity of material residue, a number of recycling units and / or a type of material residue is provided, wherein recycling instruction(s) are generated from the quantity of material residue, the number of recycling units and / or the type of material residue.

[0062] In an embodiment, the one or more physical material identifier(s) are associated with material residue (104) to be filled to the one or more recycling unit(s) (106) and the recycling unit identifier(s) are associated with respective recycling unit(s) (106).

[0063] In an embodiment, the physical material identifier(s) and the recycling unit identifier(s) signifying the recycling units (106) filled with associated material residue (104) are digitally linked to each other.

[0064] In an embodiment, multiple physical material identifier(s) are linked to at least one recycling unit identifier.

[0065] In an embodiment, the physical material identifier(s) and the recycling unit identifier(s) signifying the recycling units (104) filled with associated material residue (104) are digitally linked to each other on providing the material (102), prior to usage of the material (102), on usage of the material (102), on providing the material (102) to the location of use or after usage of the material (102).

[0066] In an embodiment, the physical material identifier is linked to a textile.

[0067] In an embodiment, the physical material identifier is a digital twin associated with the physical entity of the textile. In an embodiment, the physical material identifier includes a decentral identifier.

[0068] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] In the following, the present disclosure is further described with reference to the enclosed figures:

[0070] Fig. 1 illustrates schematically an example of recycling material residue from textiles, eng- neering plastics or packaging material.

[0071] Fig. 2 illustrates an example of an apparatus for recycling material residue from textiles, engineering plastics or packaging material.

[0072] Fig. 3 illustrates an example of a method for recycling material residue from textiles, engi neering plastics or packaging material.

[0073] Fig. 4 illustrates an example of a recycling operation system for recycling material residue from textiles, engineering plastics or packaging material.

[0074] Fig. 5 illustrates an example of a recycling operation system with a depolymerization pro cess to recycle material residue from textiles, engineering plastics or packaging ma terial.

[0075] Figure 1 illustrates schematically an example for recycling material residue from textiles, engineering plastics or packaging material. Textiles, engineering plastics or packaging material here only serves as illustrative example and shall not be considered limiting. The same principles, methods and apparatus embodiments apply to other polymeric material streams, in which material residue arises e.g. during production or use of the material.

[0076] Textile, engineering plastics or packaging material 102 is shown as an example in Fig. 1 and may, in particular, include Polyamide 6. The manufacturing process of Polyamide 6 (PA6) may involve the polymerization of caprolactam, the monomer used for PA6 production. After polymerization, the molten PA6 may be shaped through extrusion or injection molding. It may then be cooled and solidified using methods like air or water cooling. Post-processing steps may include cutting, machining, or surface treatments. The process can vary among manufacturers, but the primary steps typically involve polymerization, shaping, cooling, and post-processing. One example of PA6 is obtainable commercially as Loopamid® from BASF SE.

[0077] The textile, engineering plastics or packaging material 102 may be produced in the form of granules / pellets, fibers, tablets, films, sheets, rods, tubes or 3D printing filaments 102. A "granule” refers to a condensed form of rich textile material such as polyamide in small shapes. The production line 100 may include an extruder configured to extrude PA6 or PA6.6 in the form of granules / pellets, fibers, films, sheets, rods, tubes or 3D printing filaments 102. During production material residues may occur, which may be recycled according to the methods disclosed herein. The material identifier may refer to the polymeric material streams provided to the extruder. Granules / pellets, fibers, films, sheets, rods, tubes or 3D printing filamentsl 02 may be used for textiles or to make high-performance plastics (e.g, for automotive or electronic components). Packaging materials may be used for protecting or storing goods. The produced textile(s), engineering plastics and / or packaging material(s) 102 may be tagged with an identifier element 103. Single material panels 102 and / or the packaging may be tagged with the identifier element 103. Alternatively, a group of multiple material panels 102 may be packed together and tagged with the identifier element 103.

[0078] The identifier element 103 may include a machine-readable code for storing the physical material identifier of the one or more textile(s), engineering plastics or packaging material 102. For example, the identifier element 103 may include a printed one or two-dimensional code such as a barcode or a QR-code or other codes. The identifier element 103 may include an array of black and white squares storing at least the physical material identifier of the one or more textile(s), engineering plastics or packaging material material(s) 102. Further for example, the identifier element 103 may include an electronic tag such as a RFID tag for storing the physical material identifier of the one or more textile(s), engineering plastics or packaging material(s) 102. The physical material identifier and any information attached to such identifier may be accessed through a code reader such as a mobile phone or other devices with camera for scanning QR codes or a RFID reader for reading out RFID tags.

[0079] Textile(s) 102 may be used for various types of clothing, including swimwear, sportswear, and hosiery. On such uses the panels 102 are typically cut as needed for the type of clothing. On cutting or trimming material residue or scrap material 104 may be produced, which may be recycled. On clothing manufacturing sites such material may be disposed and mixed with other residues or scraps. This way the potential to recycle such residue or scrap 104 is impeded. In addition, the content of the mixed residue or scrap material is not easily known. In the operation of the recycling process the material residues may be mixed and require complex sorting. This makes recycling of material residues from materials such as textile material 102 costly and inefficient.

[0080] Packaging materials may be used for protecting or storing goods and after usage may be recycled. In the operation of the recycling process the material residue may be mixed and require complex sorting. This makes recycling of material residue from materials such as package material 102 costly and inefficient.

[0081] To support recycling e.g. on manufacturing sites, stores or material traders or other places and increase the recycling rate, the material residues 104 may be collected in recycling units 106 intended for such purpose. Suitable recycling units 106 may include bags, containers or bales (e.g., of compressed material residues or scrap). Such recycling units 106 may include an identifier element 107. The identifier element 107 of the recycling unit 106 may include a machine-readable code for storing the recycling unit identifier of the recycling unit 106. For example, the identifier element 107 may include a printed one or two-dimensional code such as a barcode or a QR-code or other codes. The identifier element 107 may include an array of black and white squares storing at least the recycling unit identifier of the recycling unit 106. Further for example, the identifier element 107 may include an electronic tag such as a RFID tag for storing the recycling unit identifier of the recycling unit 107. The recycling unit identifier and any information attached to such identifier may be accessed through a code reader such as a mobile phone or other devices with camera for scanning QR codes or a RFID reader for reading out RFID tags. The recycling unit(s) may be provided together with the material for collecting material residues or scraps. The recycling unit identifier may be linked to the material identifier associated with the material the recycling unit is provided with. This way collection recycling units may be provided together with the materials to collect material scrap and to simplify recycling.

[0082] To provide a more reliable and efficient recycling process, the apparatuses and methods for recycling material residues 104 via recycling units 106 is proposed.

[0083] Figure 2 illustrates an example of an apparatus for recycling material residue 104 from e.g. textile(s), engineering plastics or packaging material. As in the context of Fig. 1, textile(s), engineering plastics or packaging material are used by way of examples for material containing one or more synthetic polymer(s).

[0084] The apparatus may include a provider interface 204 configured to provide a physical material identifier and material data associated with the material e.g. with the textile(s), engineering plastics or packaging material. The provider interface 204, e.g. a material provider interface, may be configured to access a material passport associated with the material e.g. with the or packaging material. The material passport may be stored in computing system including a central or decentral network storage 200. The material passport may provide access to the material data of the material, such as the textiles, engineering plastics, or packaging material as produced, via the physical material identifier of the material, such as the textile or packaging material as produced. For example, the identifier element connected to the material such as the textile(s), engineering plastics or packaging material after production may be read out to provide the physical material identifier. The physical material identifier of the material, such as the textile(s) or packaging material, may be provided by an ID reader 202. The physical material identifier associated with the material, such as the thermal insulation or packaging material, may have been provided to a computing system 200 accessing a central or decentral data base storing the material passport. The data base may store the physical material identifier in connection with material data provided by the producer of the material, such as the textile(s) or packaging material, on production of the material, such as the textile(s) or packaging material. The material residue may be the material residue of one or more textiles. The physical material identifier(s) may be physical material identifier(s) of the one or more textiles. The material data may be material data for one or more textiles. Material data may refer to information and data points related to the textile material itself, the textiles produced from it, as well as waste and textile residue generated throughout the value chain. This data may encompass details such as the composition, properties, specifications, origins, and processing methods, date(s) of processing, date(s) of waste creation, of the textile material. Additionally, it may include information on the production processes, quality parameters, environmental impact, and disposal methods associated with the textiles and their byproducts, such as waste and residue. Material data may have a role in tracking, monitoring, and optimizing the textile value chain, enabling transparency, traceability, and informed decision-making, even among stakeholders with limited resources or technological capabilities.

[0085] The data base may be a central, decentral or distributed data base. Based on the physical material identifier the material data may be accessed or retrieved. Such material data may be output e.g. on a display to a user.

[0086] Material data may include the trade name of the material, such as the textile(s) or packaging material, the chemical composition of the material, such as the textile(s) or packaging material, and / or manufacturing data of the material, such as such as manufacturer, manufacturing method or educts used for manufacturing.

[0087] The material data may be collected from one or more participants in a textile value chain. The textile value chain may be global with many participants, some of whom may be fragmented and dispersed across large regions. The participants may include textile material suppliers, intermediate material suppliers, textile manufacturers, subcontractors, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, consumers, waste management, recycling entities, and the like. Collecting material data from a participant may include methods such as digital forms, sensors, barcode scanning, RFID, and the like. A digital system may aggregate and organize the collected data.

[0088] The provider interface 204, e.g. a recycling unit provider interface, may be configured to provide a recycling unit identifier associated with a recycling unit for collecting the material residue. For example, an identifier element 107 connected to the recycling unit 106 for collecting the material residue may be read out. The recycling unit identifier associated with the recycling unit may be provided. The recycling unit identifier associated with the recycling unit may be provided to the computing system including the central or decentral network 200 for linking with the physical material identifier(s) associated with material residue 104 filled into the recycling unit 106.

[0089] To identify the material residue 104 collected inside the recycling unit 106 on collection, the recycling unit identifier and the physical material identifier of the material, such as the textile(s), engineering plastics or packaging material, from which the material residue is formed may be provided. The recycling unit identifier may be stored in connection with or linked to the physical material identifier of the material, such as the textile(s), engineering plastics or packaging material. The recycling unit(s) may be provided together with the material for collecting material residues or scraps. The recycling unit identifier may be linked to the material identifier associated with the material the recycling unit is provided with the material or on providing the material. This way collection recycling units may be provided together with the materials to collect material scrap and to simplify recycling. Based on such connection or link the material data of the material residue, such as the insulation or packaging material residue 104 may be accessed or retrieved. The material data may be provided via the material passport of the material, such as the textile(s), engineering plastics or packaging material, as provided on production of the material, such as the textile(s), engineering plastics or packaging material. This way the material, such as the textile or packaging material, can be reliably tracked and made transparent to simplify the recycling process. The apparatus may include an input interface 206 configured to receive a request for recycling of the material residue e.g. by a user of the material or a recycler of the material residue. The input interface may be configured to receive a request for recycling of material, such as textile or packaging material. The request may include recycling data associated with the material residue 104, such as textile or packaging material residue. The recycling data may include a trigger signal to initiate the recycling process.

[0090] The apparatus may include a recycling instruction generator 208 configured to generate recycling instruction(s) based on the recycling unit identifier and the material identifier. The material identifier and the recycling unit identifier may be provided through an ID reader 202 prior or on collection of material residue 104 in the recycling unit 106. For example, the material identifier and the recycling unit identifier may be provided by reading a QR-code via a mobile phone or other devices. The material identifier and the recycling unit identifier may be linked on collection e.g. by generating a virtual link between the material identifier and the recycling unit identifier and / or storing such link in the central or decentral network storage. Since the material residue may contain multiple materials, more than one physical material identifier may be provided. Multiple physical material identifier(s) may be linked to one recycling unit identifier. By linking the recycling unit identifier with the physical material identifier(s) associated with the material residue collected inside the recycling unit, the content of the recycling unit can be made digitally accessible and transparent.

[0091] Based on the respective material data it may be determined, if the content of the recycling unit comprises a mix of material types or one type of material. If a mix of material types are collected per recycling unit, recycling instructions may be generated that include at least one sorting step.

[0092] The recycling instructions may connect the recycling units with multiple material types to a sorting process followed by the recycling process, such as mechanical and / or chemical recycling. If on type of material is present, recycling instructions may be generated that relate to the recycling process, such as mechanical and / or chemical recycling. The recycling instructions may connect the recycling units with one material type directly to the recycling process, such as mechanical and / or chemical recycling. In other words, the recycling instructions may not include a sorting step preceding the recycling process, such as mechanical and / or chemical recycling.

[0093] The recycling instruction generator may be configured to provide e.g. the user with different options for recycling such as recycling via dedicated recycling units associated with recycling unit identifier(s) or recycling via recycling units not associated with recycling unit identifier(s).

[0094] In case of recycling unit(s) associated with recycling unit identifier(s), the recycling instruction generator or the input interface may be configured to prompt a user to provide the recycling unit identifier.

[0095] The input interface may be configured to receive a request for providing the recycling unit identifier. The recycling unit identifier may be provided via the provider interface and / or the ID reader. The recycling unit identifier may be stored in connection with or linked to the physical material identifier of the material, such as textile or packaging material.

[0096] In case of recycling unit(s) not associated with recycling unit identifier(s), the recycling instruction generator or the input interface may be configured to prompt a user to generate the recycling unit identifier. A recycling unit identifier generator 208 may be configured to generate and provide the recycling unit identifier. The recycling unit identifier generator may be configured to output the identifier element 105 for connection or physical attachment to the recycling unit 104. The recycling unit identifier may be stored in connection with or linked to the physical material identifier of the material, such as thermal insulation or packaging material.

[0097] The recycling instruction(s) may relate to the physical collection, the physical sorting and / or the physical recycling of the material residue. For example, the recycling instructions may correlate the location of the material residue, such as textile or packaging material residue, with locations of other textile or packaging material residue. From such locations a collection route may be determined, and collection instructions for collecting the material residue may be determined. Further for example, the recycling instructions may correlate the chemical composition of the material, such as textile or packaging material residue, with chemical compositions of other material, such as textile or packaging material residue. This way a simplified sorting through the identifiers associated with the recycling units is possible and more complex sorting can be avoided. Based on the chemical composition and / or the locations the collection instruction(s) may be determined. Using the chemical composition, the recycling unit collection may be operated according to chemical composition, such that material residue with chemical composition that can be recycled together or fed into a recycling plant together may be collected. This allows for sorting of recycling units on collection or sorted collection and avoids more complex sorting prior to recycling. In addition, based on the chemical composition and respective sorting higher quality recyclate can be achieved on recycling in recycling plants. The connection of recycling data associated with the material residue, such as textile or packaging material residue, and the material data associated with the produced material, such as textile or packaging material allows for more efficient recycling and increases recyclate quality, since waste stream can be managed in a controlled manner. This simplifies the production of new materials, since more complex cleaning or separation of the recyclate stream can be avoided.

[0098] The provider interface 204, e.g. the recycling unit provider interface or any other suitable interface, may be configured to provide a quantity of material residue, such as textile or packaging material residue, e.g. mass, weight or volume, a type of material residue, a number of recycling units, a location of material residue, a user of the material residue, and / or a manufacturer of the material residue. The data may be provided by a user, the ID reader, the computing system including a central or decentral network storage and / or through the provider interface accessing the material passport of the material.

[0099] The apparatus may include an output interface 210 configured to provide the generated recycling instructions for recycling the material residue, such as textile material residue. The recycling instructions may be provided to a central or decentral network 212. The recycling instructions may be provided for access or retrieval by a collector for collecting the material residue, a recycler for recycling the material residue and / or a manufacturer for manufacturing new materials from the material residue.

[0100] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a method for recycling material residue from textile or packaging material. As in the context of Figs. 1 and 2, textile or packaging material are used by way of examples for material containing one or more synthetic polymer(s).

[0101] A request for recycling of the material residue may be received. The request may include recycling data associated with the textile or packaging material residue. The recycling data may include the trigger signal to initiate the recycling process, the quantity of textile or packaging material residue, such as mass, weight or volume, the type of textile or packaging material residue, the location of the textile or packaging material residue and / or the manufacturer of the textile or packaging material residue.

[0102] A physical material identifier and material data associated with the material may be provided. A material passport associated with the textile or packaging material may be accessed. The material passport may relate to the physical material identifier and material data.

[0103] For example, the identifier element 103 connected to the textile or packaging material 102 may be read out. The physical material identifier associated with the textile or packaging material 102 may be provided to a computing system accessing a central or decentral storage storing the material passport. The storage may store the physical material identifier in connection with material data provided by the producer of the textile or packaging material 102. The storage may be a central, decentral or distributed storage. Based on the physical material identifier the material data may be accessed or retrieved. Such material data may be output e.g. on a display to a user.

[0104] Material data may include the trade name of the textile or packaging material, chemical composition of the textile or packaging material, technical properties of the textile or packaging material, application related properties of the insulation or packaging material, and / or application instructions. Technical properties may include thermal properties like thermal expansion, thermal conductivity or thermal resistance, geometric properties like length, width or texture, compression properties like compression strength, compression stress or permissible compression stress, modulus of elasticity, dimensional stability, deformation behavior, water vapor diffusion resistance factor, water absorption properties, temperature limits, pressure resistance, tensile strength, stiffness, acoustic properties, noise properties, deformation properties. Application related properties may include technical specification for one or more area(s) of application such as roof, ceiling, floor or base. Application instructions may include installation instructions for one or more area(s) of application such as roof, ceiling, floor or base. Application data may include application related properties and / or application related instructions. A recycling unit identifier associated with a recycling unit 106 for collecting the material residue may be provided. For example, an identifier element 105 connected to the recycling unit 106 for the insulation or packaging material residue may be read out. The recycling unit identifier associated with the textiles or packaging material residue may be provided to the central or decentral storage. The recycling unit identifier may be stored in connection with or linked to the physical material identifier of the textile or packaging material 102. Based on such connection or link the material data of the insulation material residue may be accessed or retrieved.

[0105] Recycling instruction(s) based on the recycling unit identifier and the material data or the material identifier may be generated. The material identifier and the recycling unit identifier may be linked.

[0106] Since the material residue may contain multiple materials, more than one material identifier may be provided. Multiple material identifier(s) may be linked to one recycling unit identifier.

[0107] The user may be provided with different options for recycling such as recycling via dedicated recycling units associated with identifier or recycling via recycling units not associated with identifier.

[0108] In case of recycling units associated with identifier, the user may be prompted to provide the recycling unit identifier. A request for providing the recycling unit identifier may be received. The recycling unit identifier may be provided via the provider interface. The recycling unit identifier may be stored in connection with or linked to the physical material identifier of the textile or packaging material.

[0109] In case of recycling units not associated with identifier, the user may be prompted to generate the recycling unit identifier. The recycling unit identifier associated with the identification element of the recycling unit may be provided. The identifier element for connection to the recycling unit may be output. The recycling unit identifier may be stored in connection with or linked to the physical material identifier of the textile or packaging material.

[0110] The recycling instruction(s) may relate to the physical collection, the physical sorting and / or the physical recycling of the textile or packaging material residue. For example, the recycling instructions may correlate the location of the textile or packaging material residue with locations of other textile or packaging material residue. From such locations a collection route may be determined, and collection instructions may be determined. Further for example, the recycling instructions may correlate the chemical composition of the textile or packaging material residue with chemical compositions of other textile or packaging material residue. This way a simplified sorting through the identifiers associated with the recycling units is possible and more complex sorting machinery can be avoided. Based on the chemical composition and the locations the collection instruction(s) may be determined.

[0111] Using the chemical composition, the recycling unit collection may be operated according to chemical composition.

[0112] This allows for sorting of recycling units on collection or sorted collection and avoid more complex sorting prior to recycling. In addition, based on the chemical composition and respective sorting higher quality recyclate can be achieved on recycling. The connection of recycling data associated with the textile or packaging material residue and the material data associated with the produced textile or packaging material allows for more efficient recycling and increases recyclate quality, since waste stream can be managed in a controlled manner. This simplifies the production of new materials, since more complex cleaning or separation of the recyclate stream can be avoided.

[0113] The generated recycling instructions for recycling the textile or packaging material residue may be provided. The recycling instructions may be provided for access by a collector for collecting the thermal or packaging scrap material, a recycler for recycling the thermal or packaging material residue or a manufacturer for manufacturing new materials from the thermal or packaging material residue.

[0114] Figure 4 illustrates an example of a recycling process for material residue from textile or packaging material. As in the context of Figs. 1, 2 and 3, textile or packaging material are used by way of examples for material containing one or more synthetic polymer(s).

[0115] The recycling process illustrated in the example of Fig. 4 includes the steps of filling the material residue into recycling units, collecting the filled recycling units and providing the filled recycling units to a recycling plant. To simplify the recycling process the apparatus as for instance described in the context of Fig. 2 or the method as described for instance in the context of Fig. 3 may be employed or used.

[0116] Tracking the content of recycling units with material residue is particularly challenging, since material residues are not connected to the material and its identifier elements anymore. This means the material data for the material residue is not easily accessible once the residue is collected in the recycling unit. While the identifier element of the material is intact, the material data may be accessed via the physical material identifier(s). The material data may hence be accessed or provided prior to use of the material leading to the material residue or after use of the material leading to the material residue, e.g. if the identifier element was attached to the packaging of the material and is still intact. In addition, the recycling unit identifier(s) may be provided that is associated with the recycling unit(s) to be filled with the material residue stemming from the material the material data is provided for. This way the material data may be used to specify the material residue content of the recycling unit.

[0117] The recycling instructions generated based on the recycling unit identifier and the material data may be physical filling instructions for the recycling unit. For example, the user is prompted to read material IDs and the recycling unit IDs prior to use of the material, filling of the recycling unit and / or collection of the filled recycling units. After using the textile or packaging material, material residue may arise. Such material, packaging of such material or packaging material may include one or more identifier element(s) 105 providing the physical material identifier(s) as provided on production of the textile or packaging material from which the material residue is formed. On recycling such identifier element(s) 105 may be read via the ID reader 202 such as a mobile phone or other devices with camera configured to read QR-codes or other codes. In some embodiment the identifier element(s) 105 may be read prior to usage of the textile or packaging material. In other embodiments the identifier element(s) 105 may be provided or read on usage of the textile or packaging material. In yet other embodiments the identifier element(s) 105 may be read on providing the textile or packaging material to the location of use. The physical material identifier(s) may thus be provided that are associated with the material to be used and may be stored. The material data may be accessed through or via the physical material identifier(s). The material data may be stored.

[0118] The material data associated with the physical material identifier(s) may be displayed on a screen 214, e.g. of the reader 202.

[0119] Recycling unit(s) 106 for collecting material residue may include the recycling unit identifier element(s) 107. The recycling unit identifier element(s) 105 may be read via the ID reader 202 such as a mobile phone or other devices with camera configured to read QR-codes or other codes.

[0120] Any recycling unit data associated with the recycling unit identifier(s) may be displayed on a screen 214, e.g. of the reader 202. In particular, the recycling unit identifier(s) may be linked or connected to the physical material identi- fier(s) collected in such recycling units. To do so recycling instructions for filling material residue into recycling units may be generated and provided to the user. The user may be instructed via the screen 214 to scan the identifier ele- ment(s) connected to the material that residue is to be collected from. Such scan may by instructed prior to usage of the material, on usage of the material, on providing the material to the location of use or after usage of the material, e.g. if the identifier element was attached to the packaging of the material and is still intact. Further the user may be instructed via the screen 214 to scan the identifier element(s) connected to the recycling units such material residue is to be collected in.

[0121] The material data may be stored in connection with the recycling unit(s). This way the physical material identifiers and the recycling unit identifiers can be linked reflecting the physical relationship between recycling units and material residue collected in such recycling units. The linking may include a link between multiple physical material identifiers and one recycling unit identifier, a link between multiple physical material identifiers and multiple recycling unit identifiers or a link between one physical material identifier and multiple recycling unit identifiers. In particular such linking allows to access the material data provided on production of the material by the material producer, which simplifies the recycling process through identification of the material to be recycled per recycling unit.

[0122] The recycling units filled with material residue in the above lined out manner can be collected and the material residue can be provided (e.g., at 216) to the recycling plant 218 in a controlled manner. To do so further recycling instructions for collecting the filled recycling units and providing the filled recycling units to a recycling plant may be generated and provided to the user. For instance, the pick-up of the recycling units may be scheduled based on the number of recycling units 106 filled. The filled recycling units may be collected and transported to the recycling plant. Prior to entering the recycling plant the recycling units' content may be determined by reading the identifier ele- ment(s) to provide the recycling unit identities and to access the data linked to the recycling unit identities such as the material data. The recycling instructions may be physical collection and / or sorting instructions related to the filled recycling units depending on the material type(s) included per recycling unit. For example, if one material type is included sorting may be skipped and the recycling units with one material type may be collected together and provided to the recycling process. Further for example, if multiple material types are included, the recycling units with multiple material types may be collected together and provided for sorting prior to being provided to the recycling process.

[0123] The recycling instructions may be physical recycling instructions. The collected recycling units with one material type may be provided to the recycling plant directly without sorting in the preceding step. The collected recycling units with multiple material types may be provided to the sorting step prior to being provided to the recycling process.

[0124] Scrap material 104 may be polymeric materials such as Polyamide 6 and Polyamide 6.6. The recycling instructions may include recycling the polymeric materials in a depolymerization process. Fig. 5 illustrates selected aspects of recycling scrap material 104 in a depolymerization process, according to an embodiment of the invention. Depolymerization is a method used to break down the long polymer chains of PA6 (and other polymeric materials) into its constituent monomer units 502, which can then be used to produce new PA6 or other materials. This process typically involves heating the PA6 to high temperatures in the presence of a catalyst or solvent to facilitate the breakdown of the polymer chains, resulting in a mixture of monomer units and other byproducts. The mixture is then separated and purified to remove impurities and any remaining additives. The purified monomer units can then be used to produce new PA6 through polymerization (at 504), which involves reassembling the monomers into polymer chains. In alternative embodiments, the PA6 may be recycled using other methods such as mechanical recycling, which involves grinding and melting the material to reform it into new products without depolymerization.

[0125] Scrap material 104 may be or include polyester. The recycling instructions may include instructions for recycling a polyester material. These instructions may relate to one or more of the following steps: sorting and separation, chemical recycling, cleaning and sorting, fiber extrusion, manufacturing new textiles, and / or product creation. Sorting and separation may involve an initial step to sort and separate different types of textiles, including polyester, from the textile waste stream. This step may be useful because different recycling techniques may be required for different materials. Chemical recycling may involve chemical processes that are used to break down textile waste to a molecular level. This process may offer multiple points of re-entry into the fashion supply chain and allows for a more versatile range of products compared to mechanical recycling. After the chemical recycling, the resulting polyester waste may be cleaned and sorted to remove impurities and prepare it for further processing (i.e., cleaning and sorting). The cleaned and sorted polyester waste may then be melted down and extruded into plastic filaments. These filaments can be spun into yarn, which can be used to produce new polyester fabrics. The recycled polyester yarn may be used to produce new polyester textiles. This can involve various manufacturing processes, such as weaving, knitting, or nonwoven techniques. The recycled polyester textiles can then be used to create a wide range of products, including clothing, accessories, upholstery, and more.

[0126] Scrap material 104 may be or include cotton. The recycling instructions may include instructions for recycling a cotton material. These instructions may relate to one or more of the following steps: collection, sorting, quality assessment, mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, blending, manufacturing, and product creation. Cotton textiles, including pre-consumer waste from clothing production and post-consumer waste from discarded clothing, may be collected. This can be done through various initiatives such as internet-based recycling, brand-led recycling programs, or government-led recycling policies. The collected cotton textiles may be manually sorted based on their composition, color, and quality. This step helps ensure that only cotton materials are used in the recycling process and that different types of cotton can be processed separately. The sorted cotton textiles may undergo a quality assessment to determine their suitability for recycling. Various indexes, such as Fiber Quality Index (FQI) and Spinning Consistency Index (SCI), may be used to assess the quality of the cotton fibers. In the mechanical recycling process, the cotton textiles may be shredded into small pieces or fibers using machines like a Garnett machine. These fibers may then be spun back into yarn without the use of chemicals. However, the mechanical process can result in shorter fiber lengths, which may affect the quality of the recycled cotton. Chemical recycling is another method that can be used to break down cotton textiles into reusable fibers. This can involve processes such as the Lyocell process, where cotton is dissolved in N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO) and spun into pure cellulosic fibers. However, chemical recycling methods may still be in the research and development stage and not commercially used. Recycled cotton fibers, whether from mechanical or chemical recycling, may be blended with other materials such as virgin or organic cotton, or polyester, to improve durability and enhance the quality of the recycled cotton. The recycled cotton fibers or blended fibers are used to produce new cotton textiles through processes like weaving or knitting. This can involve various manufacturing techniques to create fabrics suitable for different applications. The newly produced cotton textiles can be used to create a wide range of textile products, including clothing, home textiles, and building materials. Cotton recycling may help reduce the environmental impact of cotton production by minimizing the use of water, land, chemicals, and energy associated with cultivating virgin cotton.

[0127] By using the recycling process lined out above, the recycling of material can be conducted more efficiently. In particular the transparency to material data across different stages of the material life cycle allows for more cost-effective recycling, higher recyclate quality and more control over material flows when material residue is involved. The transparency to material data across different stages of the material life cycle also provides data about circular processes that enables the stakeholders to improve the efficiency of the circular processes and to design new circular processes. Overall this enables higher recycling rates and reduced the environmental impact of materials in particular when material residue is involved.

[0128] The present disclosure has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments and examples as well. However, other variations can be understood and effected by those persons skilled in the art and practicing the claimed invention, from the studies of the drawings, this disclosure and the claims.

[0129] Any steps presented herein can be performed in any order. The methods disclosed herein are not limited to a specific order of these steps. It is also not required that the different steps are performed at a certain place or in a certain computing node of a distributed system, i.e. each of the steps may be performed at different computing nodes using different equipment / data processing. In the claims as well as in the description the word "comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps and the indefinite article "a” or "an” does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several entities or items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in the mutual different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used in an advantageous imple- mentation.

[0130] Any disclosure and embodiments described herein relate to the methods, the systems, devices, the computer program element lined out above and vice versa. Advantageously, the benefits provided by any of the embodiments and examples equally apply to all other embodiments and examples and vice versa. All terms used herein are understood broadly and have their general meaning.

Claims

Claims1. A method for recycling of material residue (104) from one or more textiles (102): providing one or more physical material identifier(s) of the one or more textiles and material data associated with the one or more textiles; providing one or more recycling unit identifier(s) associated with recycling unit(s) (106) for collecting the material residue (104) from the material of the one or more textiles (102); generating one or more recycling instruction(s) based on the one or more recycling unit identifier(s) and the material data; providing the generated recycling instruction(s) for recycling of the material residue from the one or more textiles.

2. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more textiles contain polyamide.

3. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the material data associated with the one or more physical material identifier(s) of the one or more textiles are provided by a producer of the material.

4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more physical material identifier(s) of the one or more textiles are provided by a material identifier element (103, 105) connected to the material (102), wherein at least the physical material identifier of the one or more textiles is encoded to the material identifier element (103, 105), wherein the material identifier element (103, 105) is physically connected to the material, wherein the physical material identifier of the one or more textiles is uniquely associated with the physical entity of the material (102).

5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein material data is used to generate the recycling instructions that relate to a physical filling of recycling units with material residue from the one or more textiles, a physical collection of filled recycling units, a physical sorting of filled recycling units and / or a physical recycling of the material residue from the one or more textiles provided by a recycling plant.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the recycling instructions further relate to a depolymerization process for recycling the material containing the polyamide.

7. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more recycling unit identifier(s) are provided by a recycling unit identifier element (107) connected to the recycling unit (106), wherein at least the recycling unit identifier is encoded to the recycling unit identifier element (107), wherein the identifier element (107) is physically connected to the recycling unit (106).

8. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a quantity of material residue, a number of recycling units and / or a type of material residue is provided, wherein recycling instruction(s) are generated from the quantity of material residue, the number of recycling units and / or the type of material residue.

9. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more physical material identifier(s) of the one or more textiles are associated with material residue (104) from the one or more textiles to be filled to the one or more recycling unit(s) (106) and the recycling unit identifier(s) are associated with respective recycling unit(s) (106).

10. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the physical material identifier(s) and the recycling unit identifier(s) signifying the recycling units (106) filled with associated material residue from the one or more textiles (104) are digitally linked to each other.11 . The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein multiple physical material identifier(s) are linked to at least one recycling unit identifier.

12. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the physical material identifier(s) and the recycling unit identifier(s) signifying the recycling units (104) filled with associated material residue (104) from the one or more textiles are digitally linked to each other on providing the material (102), prior to usage of the material (102), on usage of the material (102), on providing the material (102) to the location of use or after usage of the material (102).

13. An apparatus for recycling of material residue (104) from one or more textiles: a material provider interface configured to provide one or more physical material identifier(s) of the one or more textiles and material data associated with the material (102) containing the polyamide; a recycling unit provider interface configured to provide one or more recycling unit identifier(s) associated with recycling unit(s) (106) for collecting material residue from the one or more textiles (104) from the material (102) of the one or more textiles; a recycling instruction generator configured to generate one or more recycling instruction(s) based on the one or more recycling unit identifier(s) and the material data; an output interface configured to provide the generated recycling instruction(s) for recycling of the material residue from the one or more textiles.

14. A computer-readable medium or a computer program with instructions, which when executed on a processor, perform the steps of any of the methods of any of claims 1 to 12.

15. Use of the recycling instruction(s) generated according to any of the methods of any of claims 1 to 12 for recycling a material residue (104) from material (102) of one or more textiles.

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