Textiles, one of many possible uses for our biomass byproduct.
Textiles
Our patented water cleaning process has one significant byproduct: Benthic
algae. This naturally, occurring algae not only cleans water, it can be used
as soil amendment and biomass for the potential of ethanol, bio-diesel and
hydrogen production. The fibrous periphyton algae can even be used to produce textile
materials.
In discussions with leading universities, we’ve learned that
the filamentous periphyton algae has the potential to be harvested and processed
into material suitable for clothing and other durable goods.
Imagine. From one abundant base, natural component, we can clean our lakes,
rivers, estuaries and ponds, provide nutrient rich soil amendment, generate
energy, and make textiles.
AquaFiber has met with officials from the “Textile and Apparel” Research
Centers for both Clemson University and North Carolina State University. Both
Centers independently informed us that our biomass (periphyton algae) could be used
potentially, though an extrusion process, to make textiles and/or apparel.
Many species of our biomass are comprised of strong filaments.
In Central and
South Florida we are able to grow more than 72,000 pounds of dry biomass per
acre of land utilized, per year. A cotton farmer can grow about 700 pounds
dry cotton per acre, per year.
We believe that certain species of periphyton algae,
harvested from our patented systems, will make excellent, light-weight and
durable textile products.
