Overview

Overview

SEAMATTER: Revalorization of coastal algae wastes in textile nonwoven industry with applications in building noise isolation

The main objective of SEA-MATTER is to demonstrate and validate the reuse of coastal algae and seaweed accumulations as raw materials in composites industry. This particular kind of natural residues will find application in non-woven textile industry, so materials derived from marine biomass will become a sustainable textile reinforcements suitable to be implemented in composite industries, specifically as acoustic panels in buildings.

Algae and seaweed accumulations on beaches and along our coasts are an environmental nuisance; this biomass emits unpleasant odors, promotes mosquitos and their rotting contribute to increase the high mortality in shellfish beds as they turn into rubbish. City Councils of the coastal areas are required to remove them if they want to remain their touristic conditions and their Blue Flag Beach category (FEE-Foundation for Environmental Education). It is important to remark that sand is also removed when algae residues are collected so, year by year the beach goes back and must be regenerated applying new sand. For this reason, currently the most widely adopted practice is to leave the algae residues in the coasts in winter and collect them in summer when tourists make massive use of the coastal areas. Generally, this actuation takes place within the Integrated Management System where all the marine accumulations are managed as urban solid wastes and are deposited in a landfill and/or incinerated.