Posted July 8, 2015

 

By Seshadri Ramkumar

 

University of Connecticut researchers are finding new applications for carpet waste. Particle boards are being developed as a part of a project funded by Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE).

 

Efforts to find new uses for carpet waste have been in existence for years now, but developing particle boards using carpet waste and biomass is a new twist, according to Professor Richard Parnas of the University of Connecticut, who is involved in the project.

 

The research uses sisal fibers derived from agave and carpet waste, which is an economical route to develop bio-based composite boards. This combination helps with getting necessary strength and stiffness that can meet American construction industry standards.

 

Researchers are planning on a start-up next year in Haiti to develop about 50 million pounds of particle boards especially for European market.

 

Some years back, Mumbai, India-based Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology developed particle boards from cotton stalks.

 

Seshadri Ramkumar, PhD, FTA (honorary) is a professor of Nonwovens & Advanced Materials Laboratory at Texas Tech University.