Warwick Research Centre Creates New Adhesive Technology Set to Revolutionize Fashion and Sustainability
By Jill Dando News
Researchers from the University of Warwick, in partnership with CreateMe Technologies, have developed a groundbreaking thermoreversible adhesive that promises to change the way the fashion industry tackles textile waste.
After three years of research, this innovation aims to make textile recycling easier and more efficient, helping to reduce the 92 million tons of fabric wasted globally every year.
Backed by 19 patents, the new adhesive can bond garments at low temperatures and be easily disassembled at high temperatures, providing a much-needed solution to a growing environmental issue.
Led by Professor Remzi Becer and Dan Mackinnon from Warwick’s Department of Chemistry, along with CreateMe’s Yixin Liu, the technology addresses one of fashion’s biggest challenges—inefficient recycling processes.
Currently, textile recycling is labor-intensive, requiring manual separation of fabrics and materials. This new adhesive, however, allows for fully automated garment assembly and disassembly, making it easier to recycle clothing and reduce waste.
"This collaboration shows how material science and automation can come together to solve global sustainability challenges," said Professor Becer. "The potential of this technology goes far beyond fashion, with applications in industries like healthcare, automotive, aerospace, and home goods."
The fashion industry is responsible for a huge amount of waste, much of it ending up in landfills.
The new adhesive technology could change the game by enabling easier, more efficient recycling, which could have a significant impact on reducing this waste.
The disassembly process happens at higher temperatures than typical washing and care operations, ensuring that garments can be properly broken down before they reach the end of their life.
Cam Myers, Founder and CEO of CreateMe, highlighted the significance of this development:
"Our thermoreversible adhesive science opens up new possibilities for recycling, particularly with the rise of legislation like Extended Producer Responsibility in Europe and the U.S. This could be the key to locally produced apparel and efficient recycling."
CreateMe and the University of Warwick are now working with industry leaders to scale the technology, exploring ways it can be applied in fashion and beyond.
Through beta testing and licensing, the adhesive could pave the way for more sustainable, circular production models in a variety of industries.
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