In response to the concerning environmental repercussions associated with PET water bottles and synthetic fibers utilized in the fashion industry, a study was undertaken to explore an alternative textile-like material for clothing applications. The study was conducted by R.A. Ecehan Aygül Gönül who is a Graduate Student in Science, Technology and Society program with a bachelor in Fashion Design.

After collecting discarded PET products, the bulk structure of PET glycolyzed oligoethers and polyurethane product films were characterized using AFM.  It was important for the aim of this research that the additives used were environmentally sustainable and biocompatible. Therefore, sepiolite nano clay was used as it is one of the most important industrial raw materials in Turkiye. The research, currently in its experimental phases, exhibits promising attributes that render it suitable for application in leather products.

The outcomes of this study were presented at the 14th European Congress of Chemical Engineering and 7th European Congress of Applied Biotechnology, hosted by DECHEMA, the distinguished network for chemical engineering and biotechnology in Germany. This platform provided an opportunity to share insights, methodologies, and potential implications of the developed textile-like material, emphasizing its viability as a sustainable alternative within the broader context of environmental conservation and industrial applications.