Development biodegradable nonwoven agrotextile from natural and renewable sources

Call: Increasing the Development of New Products and Services Arising from R&D Activities – Phase II” (IRI 2)

Project name: Development of Biodegradable Nonwoven Agrotextiles from Natural and Renewable Sources

Project reference: KK.01.2.1.02.0270

Project applicant: Renotex d.o.o

Project institution partner: University of Zagreb Faculty of Textile Technology

Duration: September 01, 2020 - September 01, 2023

Project value: 18.461.405,32 HRK

Grant awarded: 8.119.961,38 HRK

Project coordinator for partner institution: Assoc. prof. Dragana Kopitar, PhD

Project associates for partner institution: Assoc. prof.  Ružica Brunšek, PhD, Assist. prof. Ivana Schwartz, PhD and two new employees: Nikola Jugov, mag. ing. techn. text. and Paula Marasović, mag. ing. techn. text.

Project web page: https://biomulchtexdotcom.wordpress.com/

Abstract:

The aim of the collaborative project “Development of biodegradable nonwovens from natural and renewable sources”, of the applicant Renotex Ltd and the partner University of Zagreb of the Faculty of Textile Technology, is to develop a new biodegradable nonwoven agrotextile exclusively from cellulose fibres and/or cellulose regenerates with the specific purpose of covering the soil. The purpose of covering the soil is to prevent growth of weeds and promoting plant germination. The result of the project is going to be a biodegradable nonwoven agrotextiles that will reduce/eliminate the need for usage of chemical pesticides and insecticides, completely decomposed after the application, in accordance with the principles of “zero waste” philosophy. The project aim is to use a more environmentally friendly production process in order to produce advanced materials with a significant impact on environmental protection, i.e. CO₂ reduction and organic food production.

The project represents a combination of application of the existing knowledge of applicant and partner, but also a significant step forward in research and development of biodegradable nonwoven agrotextiles.