Sustainable Transformation of Cellulose-Containing Textile Waste into Multifunctional Panels with Tailored FR-Lignocellulosic Fibres

Abstract

The fashion industry significantly impacts the environment, mainly through the substantial generation of waste textiles fostered by fast fashion business models. This study introduces an innovative approach to textile waste management by recycling waste textiles without the use of chemical or mechanical treatments. Herein, we developed a method adhering to the principles of circular economy to transform these textile wastes into high-quality construction panels using a papermaking process. This method not only provides a sustainable solution to reduce landfill dependency but also enhances resource efficiency in the construction industry. The fabricated panels, composed of a blend of 45% textile waste microfibres and 55% fire-retardant fibres, exhibit several advantageous properties. They feature a low apparent density ranging between 170–180 kg/m3 and a low thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.047 W/m∗K at 50 kPa. It revealed that phosphorylated fibres not only provide flame-retardant properties, but they also significantly improve the mechanical properties of the panels. For example, load at break increases from 12.4 to 81.1 N, stress at break from 0.44 to 3.59 MPa, and E-modulus from 29.2 to 198.8 MPa after the addition of these 55% fibres. Moreover, these panels successfully met the criteria set by international standards for construction products satisfying the fire test, EN ISO 11925-2. These characteristics make the panels superior options for sustainable construction materials, offering enhanced fire resistance and insulation properties, which are critical to meet modern building standards. They mark a pivotal step towards sustainable construction and waste reduction in the fashion industry.