Background Information
The Biobased Building Blocks and Products (BBBP) research group is part of MNEXT, where we support companies in reducing textile waste and accelerating circular textile technologies.
Within the international DeDye – Redye consortium, MNEXT collaborates with companies and knowledge institutions to evaluate whether supercritical CO₂ can be used to decolorize post-consumer polyester. In previous project phases, MNEXT developed a promising protocol for decolorizing a reference PET textile.
The next step is to test and optimize this process for different polyester fabrics and colorants, evaluating robustness, limitations and scalability.
Assignment Description
In this assignment, you will work with supercritical CO₂ equipment to further expand and optimise the existing decolorization protocol.
Your tasks may include:
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Conducting literature research on PET decolorization, dye chemistry and supercritical CO₂
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Performing experimental work in the MNEXT chemical process lab
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Testing different polyester fabrics and dyes
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Optimizing process parameters such as:
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Pressure
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Type and amount of co-solvent
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Extraction time
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Temperature
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Recording and analysing decolorization results
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Evaluating textile quality after treatment
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Reporting findings and contributing to practical recommendations for textile-to-textile circularity
Research questions
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How robust is the current supercritical CO₂ protocol when applied to diverse PET textiles and dye types?
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Which process parameters need to be adjusted to ensure optimal decolorization without degrading fibre quality?
Desired Skills
We are looking for a student with:
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Background in chemical engineering (preferred) or chemistry
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Strong interest in experimental research and polymer/material analysis
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Ability to work with process equipment (supercritical extractor, analytical tools)
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Motivation to contribute to circular textile innovation
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Good documentation and reporting skills
Supervision
The assignment will be supervised by Wim Gaakeer, with regular feedback on planning, experimental work and reporting.
Practical Details
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Compensation: €350 per month
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Working language: English