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All Cellulose Composite

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All Cellulose Composite: This project offers a novel approach to new-generation natural fibre textile and composite development. 

Ananas Anam produce textile grade cellulosic fibres made from waste pineapple leaves. At present these fibres are used to make non-woven materials and yarns for knitting and weaving textiles for fashion applications. The aim of this collaborative research investigation is to enhance the surface and structural properties of textiles made from these cellulosic fibres to be applicable in more technically demanding sectors.

Currently, to have the required surface properties such as strength, rigidity and dimensional stability, materials made from natural fibres need to be protected with coatings. These coatings are generally petroleum-based, or biobased and petroleum-based formulations. The research challenge is to transform the cellulosic fibre textiles, made from pineapple waste fibres, into design-led, market applicable products without the use of coatings to simplify the end-of-life solutions such recycling, re-manufacture or composting.

Combining design and scientific expertise, the team will apply a patented cellulose process, to textiles to create solid composites that have been designed and finished for specific market applications including luxury hospitality, automotives, footwear and accessories.