RECYBUILDMAT: Construction materials based on recycling fibres from clothing waste and textile remnants

Currently, concerns about sustainability are increasing in the construction sector, due to its contribution to climate change. Approximately a third of carbon dioxide emissions are produced by this sector in the construction phase and in the functioning of buildings. 

Another environment challenge is the abundance of waste produced by agriculture, industrial processes and products that reach the end of their useful life. One path towards greater sustainability is to recover this waste for its use as raw materials. 

Consequently, it is of great interest to use more sustainable construction materials and reduce the amount of cement that is required. To this requirement we can add the increasing demand for durability, performance, sustainability and safety of these materials. In this context, the project RECYBUILDMAT is developed with the participation of the Textile Technology Research Group (TECTEX), of the Institute of Textile Research and Industrial Cooperation of Terrassa (INTEXTER), at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC).

The main aim of the project is to develop new sustainable construction materials based on cement or lime mixed with nanosilica, produced from byproducts of maize or rice agriculture, reinforced using nonwoven fabric made from textile waste fibres. These materials could be applied in multifunctional panels of ventilated façades, floating flooring and panels for roofs, and as reinforcement of structures made from brick and stone when old and historical buildings are renovated.

As part of RECYBUILDMAT, the use of fibres and additives recovered from textile and agricultural waste in construction products will reduce the environmental problems associated with the accumulation of waste, generate more sustainable construction materials and advance towards the circular economy.

In addition, the project will enable progress in knowledge on the recovery of raw materials from waste, and on the combination of these fibres and additives with cement- or lime-based materials to produce construction products for various applications. In addition, the results will help to develop new sustainable construction materials that will contribute to improving the energy efficiency of buildings and cutting the emissions generated by the construction sector.