Recycling of Nonwoven Waste Resulting from the Manufacturing Process of Hemp Fiber-Reinforced Recycled Polypropylene Composites for Upholstered Furniture Products

Abstract

Waste recycling is a solution that reduces the environmental impact of waste landfilling or incineration. The aim of this paper is to investigate both the effect of incorporating recycled fibers obtained by defibrating 50/50 hemp/rPP nonwoven waste and the effect of the compatibilizer on the properties of composite materials. Composites incorporating 50% and 100% recycled fibers were treated with 2.5% and 5% maleated polypropylene (MAPP), respectively, and compared to both the untreated composites and the composite obtained by thermoforming from the nonwovens that generated the waste. The incorporation of 50% and 100% recycled fibers into composites decreased the tensile strength by 17.1–22.6%, the elongation at break by 12.4–20.1%, the flexural strength by 6.6–9%, and flexural modulus by 10.3–37%. The addition of 5% MAPP showed the greatest improvements in mechanical properties of composites containing 100% recycled fibers, as follows: 19.2% increase in tensile strength, 3.8% increase in flexural strength, and 14.8% increase in flexural modulus. Thermal analysis established that at temperatures ranging between 20 °C and 120 °C, the composites were thermally stable. SEM analysis revealed good coverage of the reinforcing fibers, and EDX analysis confirmed the presence of the compatibilizing agent in the structure of the composite material.

“Polymers from Renewable Resources”: Key Findings from This Topic Special Issue

“…Ichim and collaborators published an article in Sustainability [ 1 ]. They investigated the properties of composite materials that contain 50% hemp fibers as a reinforcement and 50% recycled polypropylene (rPP) as a matrix (50/50 hemp/rPP).…”

Understanding Binding of Quaternary Ammonium Compounds with Cellulose-Based Fibers and Wipes for Renewable and Sustainable Hygiene Options

“…However, most raw materials used to produce nonwoven fabrics are non-biodegradable synthetic materials like polypropylene and polyester, because they are relatively inexpensive and have attractive aesthetic and mechanical properties [2,5]. Thus, a large amount of non-biodegradable nonwoven material is thrown away after single-use or non-durable applications, which increases the volume of municipal solid waste and poses a challenge to landfilling disposal systems [6][7][8][9].…”

“…Sustainability 2024, 16, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 15 raw materials used to produce nonwoven fabrics are non-biodegradable synthetic materials like polypropylene and polyester, because they are relatively inexpensive and have attractive aesthetic and mechanical properties [2,5]. Thus, a large amount of non-biodegradable nonwoven material is thrown away after single-use or non-durable applications, which increases the volume of municipal solid waste and poses a challenge to landfilling disposal systems [6][7][8][9]. With consumer preferences shifting away from petroleum-based products to more sustainable options, cellulose-based nonwoven wipes could be a sustainable alternative since they are biodegradable, recyclable, and have good mechanical and aesthetic properties [10,11].…”