Textile fiber recycling polymers

In order to decrease human consumption of petroleum, chemists have investigated methods for producing polymers from renewable resources such as biomass. Nature Works polylactic acid (PLA) is a polymer of naturally occurring lactic acid (LA), and LA can be produced from the fermentation of corn. The goal is to eventually manufacture this polymer from waste biomass. Another advantage of PLA is that, unlike most synthetic polymers which litter the landscape and pack landfills, it is biodegradable. PLA can also be easily recycled by conversion back into LA. It can replace many petroleum-based polymers in products such as carpets, bags, cups, and textile fibers. 

Realff M. (2004) Regional Fiber Recycling System , Presentation at 9th Annual Conference on Recycling of Polymer, Textile and Carpet Waste, Dalton, GA, May 10-11. 

Recycled materials of many types are coming onto the market. Some companies may even choose to make polymers specifically as compatibilizing additives for selected types of recycled materials. The construction, pipe, and transportation industries are candidates for many of these applications. Ground thermosets with high filler loadings will be an important source of new fillers and manufacturers may be required to use these products in some applications. Recycled textile fibers can serve as reinforcements, which add value to composites if they can be collected in usable forms. 

The protonated form of poly(vinyl amine) (PVAm—HCl) has two advantages over many cationic polymers high cationic charge densities are possible and the pendent primary amines have high reactivity. It has been appHed in water treatment, paper making, and textiles (qv). The protonated forms modified with low molecular weight aldehydes are usehil as fines and filler retention agents and are in use with recycled fibers. As with all new products, unexpected appHcations, such as in clear antiperspirants, have been found. It is usehil in many metal complexation appHcations (49). 

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