An expected fourfold increase in textile production by 2050 will lead to an environmental disaster if nothing changes. The Marine Biobased Specialties research group of the Centre of Expertise Biobased Economy is looking for alternatives. HZ student Yoni Mol, for example, is working on biogranulate from fish scales as an ingredient for making sustainable textile fibres. In aquaculture, fish scales are seen as a waste product. In the clothing industry, they can be a sustainable raw material. Just like shells and the skin of shrimp.
Her research was carried out within the framework of the Interreg Flanders-Netherlands project ‘Puur Natuur 100% biobased’. An SME with knowledge of fish processing, the engineering department of HZ, the Biopolymer Application Centre (BAC) and the Colour Application Centre (KLAC) in the Dutch Delta Region were also involved.
Yoni Mol will further develop the biogranulate together with lector Dorien Derksen into a market worthy alternative for plastic additives in clothing accessories.
Read more about the research into fashion from fish scales in the CoE BBE online magazine, Biobased Update (Dutch). An English translation of the article is avalaible on the website of Circular Biobased Delta.
Image: Jao Cuyos/Shutterstock
