Fiber Innovations: From Production to Application > Biopolymer & Natural Fibers

Development of a Biodegradable and Home-Compostable Insect Exclusion Textile for Sustainable Agriculture (Partners: IMP, CNEP, MDB Texinov)

Saal B
Mittwoch, 10.09.2025, 16:20 - 16:40 Uhr

We developed an innovative biodegradable and home-compostable insect exclusion net to address the environmental challenges of polyolefin-based nets used in bio-agriculture. This compostable net, designed for home vegetable gardening, combines optimized mechanical properties and biodegradability without compromising effectiveness. The project focused on polymer compounding, yarn spinning, and warp-knitting, with durability validated under European outdoor conditions and compliance with home composting standards.

Sprecher
Ruddy BRELEUR (MDB Texinov)
Co-Sprecher
Dominique Fromageot (CNEP)
Co-Authoren
Aurélie HUMBERT (IMP), Frederic Prochazka (IMP), Bruno MOUGIN (MDB Texinov), Hervé Mousty (CNEP)
Today the insect exclusion nets have proven efficiency in reducing phytosanitary treatments and damage in our environment. However most of nets used in bio agriculture are made of polyolefin textiles. To face the crucial societal challenge of the management of the end of life of these nets, a new textile has been developed based on biodegradable polymers. The main objective was to develop a compostable net for the consumer market (mostly use in home vegetable gardening). Several extruded blends made of biodegradable polymers were developed and optimized to meet the mechanical specifications needed to produce a thin monofilament so that it could be warp in a second step at an industrial scale in order to market the innovative product. To reach mechanical and biodegradable properties without compromising its effectiveness is the main challenge of this project. The presentation will evidence an overall overview of the definitions (properties requirement, normative aspects), a state of the art of the existing solutions in terms of raw materials and nets. The project has focused on polymer compounding, yarn spinning, and warp-knitting. The durability of extruded yarns and textiles has been evaluated in laboratories conditions and also in real conditions in farms. Durability of the blend was studied for an outdoor use of the new net under European climate for few months in spring and summer time. The innovation aspect of this new net was its ability to become biodegradable in home compost conditions according to standards.