PhatherTex: Biobased and biodegradable textiles from bioplastics and feathers

Purpose and goal

During the project period, we reached the overall project goal to validate the potential in producing textile materials (fiber filaments) from a combination of bioplastics and keratin microfibers from poultry. Throughout the project we have had continuous dialogues with end-users from various industries, but these have not been heavenly involved in the actual project, as we considered the production process and product to be too early phase for an inclusion to be meaningful.

Expected results and effects

The result reached is that we have been able to manifest a feasible method to produce filaments from the compounded materials. Expressed in terms of TRL, we have reached level 4. The expected effect is that we can continue the works and produce larger quantities and carry out material tests based on the specifications sourced from end-users.

Planned approach and implementation

The project consisted of production of materials (bioplastics and fibers) and development of process parameters for melt extrusion. The work included compounding of different bioplastics (PLA, PHA, CAPA) and feather fibers. Samples have then been injection moulded and fiber filaments melt were extruded. The compounded materials have been characterized and the primary analysis has focused on the possibility to produce fiber filaments through melt extrusion, with the view to optimize the spinning process.