Why has no one ever turned battery separators into textiles before?
Despite being made from high-performance polyethylene (PE), a material known for its lightness and strength, battery separators have long been incinerated or landfilled without any recycling efforts. The textile industry, in particular, has never even considered them as a potential material.
TEXNIC® saw potential where others didn’t.
Driven by our "BREAK THE NORM" spirit, we became the first in the world to transform discarded battery separators—once deemed unprocessable—into textile materials. This breakthrough marks the beginning of TEXNIC®, and the new standard we’ve set for the industry.
Through our proprietary technologies that precisely control the physical properties of separators, TEXNIC® succeeded in converting this polymer into both fabric (via laminating) and yarn (via slitting).
We don’t just reuse waste—we reimagine it.
By applying a new technical perspective to high-molecular-weight polymers previously thought unsuitable for textiles, we’ve created a functional and recyclable material, paving an unprecedented path in sustainable textile innovation.
TECHNOLOGY
#01
PE Separator, Reborn as a Functional Fabric
TEXNIC®’s lamination technology bonds polyethylene (PE) battery separators onto face fabrics, creating a two-layer composite structure.
This process retains the inherent physical properties of the PE separator, enabling the final fabric to deliver enhanced functional performance.
TEXNIC®'s lamination process is engineered to preserve the microporous
structure of the PE separator. These microscopic pores allow vapor to pass
through while blocking water droplets and wind, enabling simultaneous
breathability, waterproofness, and wind resistance.
As a result, TEXNIC® laminated fabrics deliver high waterproof performance
(hydrostatic resistance), stable windproofing, and excellent vapor permeability
that supports a comfortable microclimate inside the garment.
The battery separators recycled by TEXNIC® are originally free from PFAS chemicals. As
a result, TEXNIC® laminated fabrics are inherently PFAS-free—achieved without any
additional chemical treatment.
This outcome reflects TEXNIC®’s commitment to rigorous material screening and its
pursuit of high technical standards.
The battery separator, made of high-molecular-weight polyethylene (PE), is naturally resistant to adhesives and highly sensitive to heat.
To overcome these challenges, TEXNIC® developed and patented its own surface treatment and low-temperature bonding technology.
This proprietary process enables a stable, high-performance lamination structure using battery separators.
(PCT/KR2021/008804)
Originally a key component in electric vehicle batteries, the
separator is now being reborn as a high-performance textile
through TEXNIC®’s proprietary technology.
TECHNOLOGY
#02
PE Separator, Reborn as High-Performance Yarn
TEXNIC® has developed a proprietary slitting technology that converts battery separators into fiber structures through ultra-precise cutting.
This isn’t simple slicing—it’s a design-driven transformation that accounts for the multilayered structure and unique mechanical properties of the separator.
By processing high-strength polymer films—once considered impossible to fiberize—into fine, uniform filaments, TEXNIC® has successfully created yarns that are ready for weaving.
TEXNIC® yarn, developed through our precision slitting process, offers an exceptional
balance of lightness and strength.
It is approximately 30% lighter than polyester and 20% lighter than nylon, while retaining
the original separator’s outstanding abrasion resistance—delivering durable performance
without added weight.
TEXNIC® slit yarn meets the rigorous mechanical
property standards required for automotive interior
materials.
It has successfully passed durability tests designed
for components expected to remain in use for over
10 years, demonstrating its long-term stability and
reliability in demanding environments.
To address the technical challenges of battery separators — including electrostatic adhesion, low friction, and cross-sectional irregularity — TEXNIC® developed proprietary technologies for slitting, winding, and cross-section uniformity, all of which are now patent-protected.
With these innovations, TEXNIC® has achieved what was once considered impossible: transforming battery separators into high-performance yarns.
TEXNIC® sets a new benchmark in fiber conversion technology,
pushing the boundaries of what's possible with high-performance yarns.
This journey of turning battery separators into textiles began with TEXNIC®’s proprietary
technology.
Guided by our BREAK THE NORM spirit, we continue to challenge outdated assumptions and
establish new industry standards.