WSU bags $365k for recycled textile innovation

WSU will develop an environmentally friendly and economically viable solvent system for cotton waste dissolution and fiber spinning. “Numerous trees are being cut to process into wood pulp for making regenerated cellulose fibers, such as rayon and lyocell,” said Hang Liu, assistant professor in WSU’s department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles. “But we are throwing away used cotton products, which are a better cellulose resource.”

“This project is at the heart of WSU’s commitment, as a land-grant university, to expand sustainable systems,” said James Moyer, associate dean for research in WSU’s College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences. “The development of more sustainable, recycling protocols for cotton will not only reduce waste but also result in more environmentally friendly systems for recycling the fibre.”

WSU is one of the six universities receiving nearly $3 million in grants to create new manufacturing technologies and reduce the cost of producing goods in the U.S. The goal is to create jobs that support America’s growing manufacturing base. This is the final round of grants awarded by Walmart and the Walmart Foundation for the fund.

“Advancing the production or assembly of consumer products in the US is the number one goal of the innovation fund,” said Kathleen McLaughlin, president of the Walmart Foundation and chief sustainability officer for Walmart. “As these projects come to fruition over the next few years, we hope the research not only enables cost-effective solutions for manufacturers, but also improves the sustainability of the U.S. textile industry.” (RR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India