Production Waste Fibres as a Sustainable Alternative for Strengthening Cementitious Composites

Abstract

The considerable development of the textile industry contributes to the fact that the production waste generated in the manufacture of yarns and fabrics is constantly increasing. These are so-called “pure wastes”, that, as a rule, never reach the consumer. Examples of such waste are weaving machine waste, products with a manufacturing defect, etc. Surveys in the technical textile industry have shown that only a few manufacturers use these wastes in their production, while they mostly end up in landfills. In Croatia alone, 300 tons of these wastes are generated annually, which indicates that the available quantities are sufficient for use in the construction sector and thus represent a valuable resource for the production of construction materials. High-quality fibres can be obtained from these wastes, which can be used as reinforcement in cementitious composites. However, it is critical to analyse the potential waste fibre streams, characterize the available production waste fibres to determine any initial flaws, the surface treatment processes used in relation to their original purpose, and finally the resistance to the alkaline environment. This paper provides an overview of available production waste fibres, their properties, and challenges for future use in cementitious composites.