Method for decoloring of a textile material

A method for recycling and decoloring of a textile material, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a textile material comprising polyester fibers and cellulosic fibers, at least a portion of the textile material being colored;
• providing an alkaline solution containing one or more anionic polyelectrolytes selected from the group consisting of:
• carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), a carboxyalkyl ether of cellulose, a carboxyalkyl ether of starch, a carboxyalkyl ether of amylose, a carboxyalkyl ether of amylopectin and a carboxyalkyl ether of a natural gum, or a combination thereof;
• treating the textile material in the alkaline solution during a treatment period of at least 10 minutes at a temperature in the range of from 100° C. to 180° C.;
• separating the cellulosic fibers from the textile material;
• and
• recovering the cellulosic fibers from the alkaline solution after the treatment period,
• wherein the method comprises a step of mechanically disintegrating the textile material before treating it in the alkaline solution.