The Valorization Potential of Tannery Wool Waste in the Textile Industry

According to environmental issues and guidelines, increasing efforts are being focused on reducing the harmful impact of textile wastes either by lowering the use of chemicals or by recycling wastes into new products to give them a new life cycle. In this paper, we investigate the physical and chemical properties of wool wastes coming from tanning industry, where the process of pulling the wool from the hide is based on chemical processes. These so-called “’Pulled wool’” properties are compared to virgin raw wool obtained from the same pelt, to evaluate the degradation of the fiber induced by the chemicals. SEM observations indicate that the pulled wool fiber surface appeared rougher, and the scales appeared to have been affected. Based on the X-ray diffraction, the crystallinity of the pulled fibers appeared to have been slightly reduced. Attenuated ATR-FTIR analyses indicated some changes in chemical composition. HPLC tests showed an apparent increase in the amount of cystic acids indicating damage of some macromolecular chains crosslinking. Thus, some properties appeared significantly affected during the chemical unhairing process. Based on these characteristics of pulled wool, potential applications to valorize it could be suggested, as we show that it remains suitable for conventional textile processes.