PIN FR ATH for recycling waste fibres

ATH and bentonite (inorganic flame retardants) for fire safety of recycled fibre – bio-based plastic compounds. Waste fibres from agave (sisal), coconut and leather industries were tested in combination with PIN FRs (ATH aluminium trihydroxide, modified bentonite nanoclay synergist) in a commercially available bio-based plastic (blend of TPS thermoplastic starch and the biopolymer PBAT polybutylene adipate terephthalate). At 50% loading ATH (100 phr), without fibres, UL 94 V-0 (3 mm). UL 94 V-1 was achieved with 25% recycled leather industry fibres and 90 phr ATH or 80 phr ATH plus 1 phr bentonite. Higher loadings of bentonite did not improve fire performance. The authors conclude that the recycled leather waste fibres, ATH and bentonite offer a readily implementable solution for valorising fibre wastes and in a fire-resistant bio-plastic compound.

“It’s not waste, it’s a resource: Utilizing industrial waste fibers/mineral fillers to attain flame retardant biocomposites”, D. Rockel et al., J. Thermoplastic Composite Materials, 2024 https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/08927057241297083