The current invention discloses enzyme-based compositions for converting raw natural fibres from plant derived biomass into high quality textile grade fibres. The invention discloses at least one multi-component enzymatic formulation, and the optimal conditions for using these enzymatic formulations, which result in production of textile grade fibres from raw natural fibres. These textile grade fibres can be used in any industry, because of their high-quality parameters, and high spinnability index.

The current invention discloses enzyme-based compositions for converting raw natural fibres from plant derived biomass into high quality textile grade fibres. The invention discloses at least one multi-component enzymatic formulation, and the optimal conditions for using these enzymatic formulations, which result in production of textile grade fibres from raw natural fibres. These textile grade fibres can be used in any industry, because of their high-quality parameters, and high spinnability index.

A hemp pad comprises first and second opposite exterior faces; a periphery interconnecting the exterior faces; and a body defining the first and second exterior faces and essentially comprising bast fibre. Bast fibre comprises a plurality of fibril bundles, each bundle including fibrils and polymeric binder material holding the fibrils together. The polymeric binder material comprises at least one of lignin, pectin, hemicellulose and cellulose. The fibrils of each bundle are separated from each other along portions of lengths thereof. The fibril bundles are joined together to form the body by cohesion of the polymeric binder material. Opening within individual fibril bundles and attachment of different bundles to one another to form a body of hemp fibre is a result of heat treatment to degrade the polymeric binder material. A related method for processing hemp for use as an absorption pad is also disclosed.

A hemp pad comprises first and second opposite exterior faces; a periphery interconnecting the exterior faces; and a body defining the first and second exterior faces and essentially comprising bast fibre. Bast fibre comprises a plurality of fibril bundles, each bundle including fibrils and polymeric binder material holding the fibrils together. The polymeric binder material comprises at least one of lignin, pectin, hemicellulose and cellulose. The fibrils of each bundle are separated from each other along portions of lengths thereof. The fibril bundles are joined together to form the body by cohesion of the polymeric binder material. Opening within individual fibril bundles and attachment of different bundles to one another to form a body of hemp fibre is a result of heat treatment to degrade the polymeric binder material. A related method for processing hemp for use as an absorption pad is also disclosed.

The present disclosure provides methods for making synthetic hair compositions. The methods generally comprise providing a plant fiber, degumming the plant fiber, and dyeing the plant fiber. The present disclosure also provides methods of degumming banana fiber. The methods generally comprise providing banana fiber and soaking the banana fiber in a degumming solution comprising a base, magnesium sulfate, and hydrogen peroxide. The present disclosure further provides methods of dyeing banana fibers. The present disclosure further provides synthetic hair compositions comprising banana fibers made by the methods described herein.

A method for degumming plant fibers without petrochemical-based synthetic chemicals by using a natural oils/waxes and minerals. The method includes cutting fibers into strips of specified lengths and washing the strips in baths of a non-petrochemical synthetic oil/wax and lye, citric acid mixed with water, and lye mixed with water. After each of the baths, the strips are rinsed with water, either deionized or distilled. Some of the washing steps may be performed at cooking temperatures. The method includes drying, opening, and cleaning the fibers.

A method for degumming plant fibers without petrochemical-based synthetic chemicals by using a natural oils/waxes and minerals. The method includes cutting fibers into strips of specified lengths and washing the strips in baths of a non-petrochemical synthetic oil/wax and lye, citric acid mixed with water, and lye mixed with water. After each of the baths, the strips are rinsed with water, either deionized or distilled. Some of the washing steps may be performed at cooking temperatures. The method includes drying, opening, and cleaning the fibers.

A method and system for the production of fibers for use in biocomposites is provided that includes the ability to use both retted and unretted straw, that keeps the molecular structure of the fibers intact by subjecting the fibers to minimal stress, that maximizes the fiber's aspect ratio, that maximizes the strength of the fibers, and that minimizes time and energy inputs, along with maintaining the fibers in good condition for bonding to the polymer(s) used with the fibers to form the biocomposite material. This consequently increases the functionality of the biocomposites produced (i.e. reinforcement, sound absorption, light weight, heat capacity, etc.), increasing their marketability. Additionally, as the disclosed method does not damage the fibers, oilseed flax straw, as well as all types of fibrous materials (i.e. fiber flax, banana, jute, industrial hemp, sisal, coir) etc., can be processed in bio composite materials.

A method and system for the production of fibers for use in biocomposites is provided that includes the ability to use both retted and unretted straw, that keeps the molecular structure of the fibers intact by subjecting the fibers to minimal stress, that maximizes the fiber's aspect ratio, that maximizes the strength of the fibers, and that minimizes time and energy inputs, along with maintaining the fibers in good condition for bonding to the polymer(s) used with the fibers to form the biocomposite material. This consequently increases the functionality of the biocomposites produced (i.e. reinforcement, sound absorption, light weight, heat capacity, etc.), increasing their marketability. Additionally, as the disclosed method does not damage the fibers, oilseed flax straw, as well as all types of fibrous materials (i.e. fiber flax, banana, jute, industrial hemp, sisal, coir) etc., can be processed in bio composite materials.

A method of making a composite laminate includes dequilling chicken feathers to form chicken feather fibers (CFFs). The CFFs and Ceiba Pentandra bark fibers (CPFs) are milled to form milled CFFs and milled CPFs so that the milled CFFs have a length of smaller than 200 microns and the milled CPFs have a length of smaller than 600 microns. The CFFs are treated with an amine compatibilizer to esterify carboxy groups present on keratin in the CFFs. A mixture of an epoxy resin, the milled CFFs, and the milled CPFs is solution cast to form an epoxy composite. A first carbon fabric layer and a second carbon fabric layer are placed on a front side and a backside, respectively, of the epoxy composite to form an epoxy laminate precursor. The epoxy laminate precursor is compression molded to cure the epoxy laminate precursor to form the composite laminate.