How jute and paper yarn can form the future of textile

By combining microwave technology with chemical treatment, Felicia Syrén has investigated how renewable materials such as jute and paper yarn can get new properties – and therefore new applications within the textile industry.

In her PhD thesis, Syrén investigated how Jute can be changed by microwave treatment and impregnation with poly (vinyl alcohol), as well as how paper yarn can be made more suitable for knitting with chemicals that are already used in contemporary textile production.

“Attest tests showed that treated jute can be stretched considerably more, and the paper yarn becomes easier to knit, especially when using silicone. An unexpected finding was that was actually raising friction – what the opposite is of what you would normally expect,” said Syrénology on 5 September.

For example, the results pose for further research into how the quantity was the properties of the yarn. This is important knowledge for the future use of alternative materials in the production of textiles.

Renewable sources can be used more

The research is in line with a broader social issue: making the textile industry more sustainable.

“Textile is increasingly being used, not least in technical applications. To meet the future requirements, we must be able to work with a wider range of materials. That is why I have focused on natural, renewable sources that are currently underented,” said Syrén, who has a background as a material designer.

After her dissertation, she leaves the academic world – at least for now.

“I have worked in the steel industry for three years and will not stay at the University of Borås. But I really enjoy research and still do not have published data that I might be in a paper.”

She describes her time as a doctoral student and both challenging and fantastic.

“I made new friends and learned a lot about the world – and about myself. It was a pleasure to deepen in textiles at a technical level, especially because I grew up surrounded by textiles in various forms, with a mother who runs a sewing mate.”

Syrén defended her PhD thesis “A sustainable path to increased diversity of textile materials: treatments for customized properties of jute and paper yarn”September 5 at the Swedish School of Textiles, University of Borås.

Provided by University of Borås