Eco-friendly wall panels made of textile waste

Researchers at Spain's Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (UPM) School of Architecture have discovered an innovative use for textile waste – as material for interior wall panels.

The scientists employ fibers obtained from excess thread and fabric produced by garment factories to build the boards. Apart from being finely shredded, the materials do not need pretreatment, ensuring the least energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Typically, panel production entails the use of chemical binders that not only pollute the environment, but are toxic and highly flammable as well. To solve this, the researchers created a binder made of natural hydraulic lime that withstands fire and is free of contaminants.

One of the main advantages of textile-based boards is that they have a lower density than regular panels, thus, requiring a lighter support system. The boards also enhance the thermal and acoustic properties of the building, making them resistant to heat and noise.

A recent study by the EU revealed that member countries discard 5.8 million tons of textile wastes annually. Of these, only a quarter is recycled while the rest are either incinerated or dumped in landfills.