In 2024, PhD scholar Nayanatara Ruppegoda Gamage and Dr Chamila Gunasekara, from RMIT University (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) worked together on a ground-breaking project. They discovered a way to recycle old textiles and use them to strengthen concrete.
Recycling run down textiles is challenging and expensive. As a result, over 200,000 tonnes of this material goes to landfill every year in Australia alone. Looking for a solution, a team at RMIT University in Melbourne began trailing ways to incorporate textile fibres into concrete mixes. One to two hours after concrete is placed, it begins to crack, and the water evaporates, causing the concrete to shrink. “That’s why we call it shrinkage cracking,” said Gunasekara.
The team discovered that the most effective way to incorporate textiles into the cement is extracting individual fibres and cutting them to 12mm lengths. The fibres are then spread evenly throughout the cement mix. Due to their flexibility, the textile fibres go around any cracks and absorbs stress in the cement. “This is a textile fibre-reinforced concrete,” said Dr Chamila Gunasekara.
In order to recycle as textiles as possible, this method uses fibres from various materials including polyester, nylon, and polypropylene. Even 100% non-recyclable fabric, used for firefighter and military uniforms, has been incorporated into concrete. “Up to 70% of textile waste would be suitable for conversion into usable fibres, presenting an opportunity in the materials supply chain,” said textile and material scientist, Dr Shadi Houshyar.
Dr Chamila Gunasekara, Nayanatara Ruppegoda Gamage, and others have experimented with only small samples of the textile fibre-reinforced concrete. The next stage of this project is to partner up with councils in 2025 to test out larger concrete slabs. “It can be a concrete slab on the ground, or maybe up to a 50-100m footpath,” said Gunasekara.
If the tests prove successful, over 200, 000 tonnes of textiles will be kept from landfill. With a stronger, near-crack resistant cement, constructions will last longer saving time, money, and resources. This brings the world a step closer to a healthy, and sustainable world, with minimum waste.