Meryl Medical is committed to leading a radical environmental change in the materials of the textile industry, starting from a molecular quality structure to provide fully recyclable innovative yarns and fabrics with zero microplastic pollution.
The company is revolutionising the way we think about, use and dispose of textiles with the development of solid and durable materials that are entirely reused, focusing on environmental impact, quality and protection, all built around a sustainable circular economy.
The environmental impact of Meryl Medical’s reusable fabrics is best reflected through its innovative technology that uses hydrogen bonding to create strong molecular chains that seal all microfibres into the filaments. There is no release of microfibres into the air or oceans. The forward-thinking technology provides this inventive solution to the world’s microplastic problem, while also extending the durability of the garment created.
Zero Pollution & Water Saving Programs
The washing of synthetic textiles is a primary source of microplastics in the aquatic environment. Washing alone accounts for 35% of all microplastics released globally (*1).
However, all Meryl yarns, fabrics and apparel avoid microfibre pollution.
By spinning continuous quality fibres with extraordinary tenacity, Meryl offers exceptionally high-quality yarns to the industry without polluting our air and oceans.
The company has virtually eradicated all production waste at the manufacturing stage, which can be as high as 22%, by returning, weaving and cutting waste for reuse in new yarns.
All colouring and treatments are applied to the filaments at the spinning stage of the yarns, completely removing the need for chemicals and solvents, typically used in the dyeing and finishing of the materials.
This has allowed Meryl to introduce a sustainable waterless dyeing process, Meryl Ecodye, which further reduces water waste, in parallel.
This part of the process alone saves 3,000 litres of water per 600m of fabric. (there can be as much as 200 tonnes of water used in every tonne of material manufactured by the textile industry).
Much of this water returned to nature is contaminated waste containing residual dyes and hazardous chemicals (*2).
The textile finishing industry is one of the most significant consumers and polluters of high-quality freshwater per kilo of the treated material. The term “finishing” covers all chemical additives that improve low-quality fibres’ appearance, texture, or performance.
Meryl yarns are developed explicitly as performance yarns with outstanding properties, without the need for any topical chemical treatments to either the yarn, fabric, or garment. No use of silicones or softeners is needed to enhance the Meryl touch.
Meryl fabrics are washed at a lower temperature than cotton-based materials and have been tested after 100 washes at 40˚C. Garments show no reduction in protection or appearance after frequent washing. They have a hugely reduced transport route, significantly lowering the product’s carbon footprint from its creation to the end of its life when it can be fully recycled and made into another sustainable development. Meryl has complete control and traceability, as its engineers and logistics experts monitor all aspects of production. Its production facilities work to the detailed operation plans; Meryl Medical has accountability, monitoring and full audit trails.
Recycling Programs
The circular economic implications constitute a significant step forward in recycling. Meryl Recycled yarn is reusing post-industrial materials to create entirely new raw materials for yarn production, and these can be produced with 50% to 100% of recycled raw materials. This environmentally friendly fabric maintains its quality with all the performance and exceptional touch.
Meryl can reuse all products at the end of their extended operational life and return them as identical replacements. To give a more detailed explanation, the team re-polymerises the used fabric and reproduce the yarn for new manufacturing.
Flexibility in use is an essential aspect to address, to ensure that as many people and businesses, as well as the environment, will benefit from this, as possible. Meryl needed a fabric that could be used in different products designs, including workwear and bedding, even creating sewing thread’s to ensure the garments were fully reusable.
Continued Innovation and Application
As many companies worldwide are keen to cut their carbon footprint, Meryl Medical’s specialised products can help achieve this. Their research and insight illustrate that procurement teams want to explore environmental and technologically advanced options; however, the ranges were unavailable.
As Meryl moves forward and continues to innovate, it strives to expand its portfolio to bring its offering into mature sectors, revitalising and energising what is currently available to industries, including healthcare, hospitality and medical.
The company has already manufactured a variety of items, including pillowcases, bedsheets, tunics, doctor’s coats, underclothes, polo and t-shirts, plus face covers, to name a few.
The benefit to the end-user is simple; Meryl removes the need to dispose of the textiles, as all used items returned are essentially reborn.
This extends the operational life of these products, so it lasts longer, allowing people to wash them at considerably lower temperatures, reducing energy use and lowering costs. There is also the additional benefit of the added protection given to the people using the products by incorporating Meryl’s antiviral effect and bacterial technology.
Meryl Medical is helping to educate the public and allowing them to benefit from a complete circular process. It is significantly reducing the environmental impact of textile waste that is currently inflicted on the planet, while also helping to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Written by Peter Clodd-Broom, Director & Co-Founder, Meryl Medical (original source).
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