With increasing interest in green buildings, a textile waste may be a good candidate. The University of Connecticut researchers are finding new applications for carpet wastes. Particle boards are being developed as a part of a project funded by Carpet America Recovery Effort.
Efforts to find new uses for carpet wastes have been in existence for years now, but developing particle boards using carpet waste and biomass is a new twist according to Professor Richard Parnas of University of Connecticut, who is involved in the project.
The research uses sisal fibres derived from agave and carpet waste, which is an economical route to develop bio-based composite boards. This combination helps with getting necessary strength and stiffness that
can meet American construction industry standards.
Researchers are planning on a start-up next year in Haiti to develop about 50 million pounds of particle boards especially for European market. Some years back, Mumbai-India based Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology has developed particle boards from cotton stalks.
Carpet waste finds new applications
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