CoSpinning

Collagen spinning in ionic liquids and low-melting eutectic solvents

motivation

The necessity of our project stems from the urgent need to develop sustainable, high-performance fibres for the textile and sportswear industries. Current collagen fibre production methods are unsuitable for large-scale applications due to inefficiency and environmental impact. Traditional processes rely on acid-soluble collagen, which requires lengthy coagulation times and produces short fibres, making them impractical for textile use. These methods are not cost-effective for mass production, resulting in high prices and limited availability of high-quality collagen fibres. Additionally, conventional processes use harsh chemicals and generate significant waste, contributing to environmental degradation. With rising environmental awareness, there is increasing demand for sustainable and biodegradable materials in consumer products. Our project addresses these issues by developing a novel spinning process using ionic liquids (ILs) and/or deep eutectic solvents (DES). These innovative solvents are supposed to dissolve collagen without damaging its molecular structure, allowing the production of long, continuous fibres suitable for textiles. This approach reduces production costs and minimizes environmental impact by eliminating harmful chemicals and reducing waste.

Aim

The goal of our project is to develop and validate a novel spinning process for creating natural and/or recombinant collagen fibres using deep eutectic solvents (DES) and/or ionic liquids (IL). This process aims to produce environmentally friendly, high-performance fibres with properties such as elasticity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Within the project’s duration, we aim to achieve a proof of concept for this fibre production method, paving the way for sustainable alternatives to synthetic fibres like elastane and polyurethane.

CoSpinning VISUALIZED

APPROACH

Our project involves several key activities to address the motivation and achieve our goals. Initially, we will develop a collagen spinning process using ionic liquids (ILs) and/or deep eutectic solvents (DES). This involves identifying suitable solvent systems that can dissolve natural and/or recombinant collagen. Concurrently, we will create a requirements catalogue to ensure our materials meet necessary qualitative and quantitative standards. We will conduct laboratory-scale wet spinning of collagen fibres, optimize the coagulation process, and assess the properties of the fibres produced. Finally, we will produce textile demonstrators and prepare communication materials to showcase our findings. This structured approach ensures we develop an environmentally friendly, cost-effective collagen fibre production method with significant industrial potential.

Project Partners

GET IN TOUCH

Juliane Wipperfürth juliane.wipperfuerth@ita.rwth-aachen.de

Felix Rasehorn f.rasehorn@wintdesignlab.de

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