Fabrication and Characteristics of Sustainable Needle Punched Non-Woven from Water Hyacinth and Okra Fibres

Abstract

The textile sector is among the rapidly expanding industries; however, it significantly contributes to pollution, depletion of resources, and waste accumulation. As sustainability gains importance, the sector is progressively embracing environmentally friendly materials, renewable resources, and advanced sustainable manufacturing practices. Water hyacinth, which is a floating perennial water plant, is a considerable threat to biodiversity. It decreases the levels of dissolved oxygen in aquatic environments and obstructs the natural water flow. In spite of its ecological ramifications, it has a high fiber content and absorbs water similarly to cotton. This research examines the method used for extracting fiber from water hyacinth. The okra stem, a semi-woody product that comes from agricultural byproducts, is combined with the fiber from water hyacinth. The publication discusses the characteristics of these fibers and improves the efficacy of the non-woven needle punching technique utilizing them. This research emphasizes the possibility of merging water hyacinth and okra fibers for creating appropriate non-woven textiles that meet the increasing environmental needs.

Introduction

Sustainability is driving industries like textiles and construction to adopt renewable, bio-based materials. Natural fibers such as water hyacinth and okra are gaining attention due to their availability, biodegradability, and strong mechanical properties. Water hyacinth, a fast-growing aquatic plant, and okra stem waste both serve as valuable sources of lignocellulosic fibers with high cellulose content, making them suitable for textiles and composite applications.

Blending different plant fibers improves fabric performance, reduces costs, and supports eco-friendly production. These fibers are classified as lignocellulosic (woody and non-woody), with bast fibers known for their softness and strength.

Fiber extraction involves physical, mechanical, or chemical methods for water hyacinth, and retting followed by cleaning and drying for okra. The production of nonwoven fabrics commonly uses the needle punching technique, where fibers are mechanically interlocked without adhesives. Fabric properties depend on fiber characteristics and machine parameters.

Needle-punched nonwoven textiles have wide applications, including insulation, medical fabrics, filtration, geotextiles, and household products. Overall, combining plant-based fibers and advanced processing techniques enables the development of sustainable, versatile, and high-performance textile materials.

Conclusion

This evaluation focuses on the shift to using natural plant-based fibers in nonwoven products, motivated by a growing concern for the environment and a need for eco-friendly options to replace synthetic fibers. Plant-based fibers have been recognized as an attractive, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional synthetic options, mainly because they can biodegrade and can be recycled. In conclusion, this piece acts as an in-depth examination of plant fiber nonwovens in the textile industry, underscoring the critical nature of this area while highlighting how plant fibers can offer sustainable and ecologically sound answers applicable across various industries.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Anuja Sri C, Geetha Margret Soundri S, Poornisha K. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.