RecyKlett: Closed-Loop Systems for Climbing Ropes
July 16, 2026
RecyKlett is developing a recycling cycle for climbing ropes made of polyamide 6. The goal is to produce high-quality recycled yarns and new ropes that meet the highest safety standards and conserve resources.
Through the RecyKlett research project, the ITA at RWTH Aachen University is collaborating with partners to develop a recycling loop for end-of-life polyamide 6 climbing ropes. The goal is to process used ropes into high-quality regranulate and use it to produce new filament yarns as well as high-performance climbing ropes that meet the stringent safety requirements for mountaineering and sport climbing. To this end, material aging, contaminants, and the properties of the recycled material are comprehensively analyzed and specifically optimized through innovative processing and spinning methods. The project demonstrates how safety-critical technical textiles can be successfully integrated into the circular economy while simultaneously significantly reducing the use of fossil raw materials and the CO₂ footprint of rope production.