Leigh Dement, Chemist

What does a normal day look like?

I work with our technology at the lab scale, utilizing analytical techniques to identify and quantify different polymers, additives and contaminants present in textile waste. The textile industry was created without recycling in mind, leading to an inordinate amount of material blends, dyes, fillers and coatings that have to be characterized prior to recycling.The more we understand about our incoming materials, the better we can optimize our recycling process and ensure the recovery of high-quality polyester.

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How does Syre’s chemical recycling process work?

Polymers are like chains; we break each chain into individual links to be reassembled as virgin quality material. Unlike mechanical recycling, this process erases the physical history of each textile, creating a product with an infinite lifetime of circular use and regeneration”, she explains Syre’s chemical recycling process.

You’re based at Syre’sR&D hub and Blueprint plant, both located in your home state. What does Syremean to North Carolina?

North Carolina is home to an ever-growing number of technologies. While the state is no stranger to innovation, Syre marks a huge milestone in pushing forward sustainability. As the need grows for more sustainable and circular practices, these plants provide the technology to put words into action.

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