REFIBMAG – Capture, Separation and Recycling of Textile Microfibres Using Magnetic Nanoparticles from Steel Industry By-products

REFIBMAG develops a circular solution that transforms steel industry by-products into advanced magnetic nanomaterials for the sustainable capture, separation and recycling of textile microfibres from industrial wastewater.

The project addresses one of the major environmental challenges associated with the textile industry: the release of microfibres into wastewater streams. Building on previous research, REFIBMAG aims to validate magnetic nanoparticle-based capture technologies under real industrial conditions, where complex wastewater compositions can affect the interaction between nanoparticles and textile fibres.

CATMech contributes to the development and laboratory validation of an innovative microfluidic separation system capable of classifying captured microfibres by polymer type while enabling the recovery and reuse of magnetic nanoparticles. The proposed approach improves process efficiency, reduces resource consumption and facilitates the recycling of both fibres and nanomaterials.

By combining nanotechnology, microfluidics and circular economy principles, REFIBMAG promotes industrial symbiosis between the steel and textile sectors. The project contributes to reducing microplastic pollution, increasing resource efficiency and advancing sustainable wastewater treatment technologies for future industrial implementation.

Funding:

This project is funded by the Waste Agency of Catalonia (Agència de Residus de Catalunya, ARC) through the R&D Green Projects Programme – Waste (Projectes d'R+D Green, àmbit Residus), with support from ACCIÓ.

Partners:

• CELSA (Project Leader)
• UPC – CATMech (TECNIO)
• FINSA Job Group