Grass could become future clothing material

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have explored the possibility of producing textile fibers from grass and clover-based materials. The residue left after protein extraction, known as press cake, contains cellulose, the same substance used in textile fibers derived from wood.

"The cellulose is the same whether it comes from a tree or from grass. The difference is how easily we can extract it," says Associate Professor Diana Bernin at Chalmers. Her research group has successfully produced cellulose pulp from the press cake that meets the requirements for textile fiber production.

According to the researchers, extracting cellulose from grass requires fewer chemicals and less energy compared to wood. "We can use simpler chemistry and smaller amounts of chemicals to extract the fibers. This also saves energy," Bernin explains. However, the overall environmental and resource benefits of the process still need further investigation at an industrial scale.

In collaboration with Aarhus University and the Swedish School of Textiles in Borås, the research group has managed to spin a small knitted sample from the fibers. The aim is to create high-value products, such as long-lasting textile fibers that can potentially be recycled, rather than using the biomass residue for applications like packaging materials.

The project is part of broader research into green biorefineries, which aim to better utilize different parts of plants and develop more sustainable agricultural systems. Future steps include scaling up the production of cellulose pulp and optimizing the fiber production process.