Scarabat: textile microresidues transformed into new products
Scarabat is an innovation project led by ARPE and Girbau LAB to promote a circular economy around textile microresidues. The challenge is to raise awareness of this type of waste generated during laundry processes and to transform it into new materials that will be used in ARPE products.
Scarabat was born as a collaborative initiative connecting various players in the Catalan business textile ecosystem. In addition to ARPE and Girbau LAB, the project is supported by the Textils.CAT cluster, the innovation agency ACCIÓ, and inèdit.
Scarabat aims to make the capture and transformation of microresidues into new applications a reality.
The project’s name comes from the beetle Scarabaeus sacer, an insect that symbolizes regeneration. This beetle transforms organic matter into new life, serving as a perfect metaphor for the project: transforming what is considered waste into an opportunity. In this case, it’s the microfibers released during textile washing and drying. These microresidues are increasingly present in the environment, creating an impact we seek to reduce.
Microplastic release testing
The tests to measure microplastic release were conducted at the Open Lab. By carrying out 25 wash and dry cycles on ARPE garments, the amount of microplastics released was quantified.
The study was conducted at the Open Lab, with ARPE garments subjected to 25 industrial wash and dry cycles to show the pattern of microresidue generation during the use phase of ARPE textiles.
The results show that the first wash is critical, accounting for 35% of the total microplastics released over all cycles. The first five washes account for 61% of total release.
After 25 washes, 4.9 grams of microplastics per kilogram of fabric were detected. Additionally, it was found that the stages involving detergent use are the ones that generate the most microfiber release.
Another key point is industrial drying. This process releases residue in the form of lint, contributing to the total microresidues emitted during the use phase.
Scarabat: focusing on the importance of the use phase
The Scarabat initiative offers valuable lessons for the textile sector. One of the most relevant is the need to consider the entire product life cycle—not only production, but also the use and treatment phases, such as washing and drying, since they have a direct environmental impact.
The project aims to demonstrate that this impact can be significantly reduced through good product design, the use of appropriate washing programs, and the integration of efficient microplastic capture systems.
Another key point is the importance of the first wash, as this is when the greatest microplastic release occurs. Intervening at this stage can make a significant difference in the amount of waste reaching the environment.
Scarabat builds on and consolidates previous initiatives by Girbau LAB in collaboration with Elisava, FIX, and Clint.