Energetic Valorization of Cutting Textile Waste by Transforming It into Thermal Insulation Products

The quantity of textile cutting waste in Tunisia has been increasing in recent years. Tax-exempt raw materials have been exported, which are essential for reducing consumption through reusing and recycling textile waste. These textile scraps can serve as thermal insulation, effectively reducing heat loss through thermal conduction when placed in wall gaps, ceilings, and floors. Properly installed cuttings can improve a building's energy efficiency, leading to reduced heating and cooling costs. This study focuses on valorizing textile cutting waste as a source of thermal insulation products, presenting a unique approach to sustainable waste management and energy efficiency in construction. It offers a potential solution to decrease raw material consumption by promoting the reuse and recycling of textile products. The study examines the technical properties, performance, and suitability of insulation products for use in the construction industry. The first stage involves a chemical analysis of the textile cutting waste to identify its composition and characteristics. Subsequently, a process for designing and optimizing a textile thermal insulation sample is developed. Polyester binds are used to combine textile cuttings and fiber/PET in various ratios to produce different samples. These samples, including cotton (white and color) and polyester (white), undergo testing and evaluation using standard methods. The findings indicate that the insulation products demonstrate good thermal performance, making them highly suitable for construction applications.