
New Lease on Life for LintersBy Jan Suszkiw October
13, 1998A new textile processing technique could breathe economic life into "linters"
short, curly hairs that get shaved off cotton seed and ground into pulp for
making paper. Linters are shaved off after the seed is first stripped of other, longer and
more slender fibers called staples, at the cotton gin. Staples are processed
and finished for apparel, towels and other products. Linters are removed at the
cutting mill and then "pulped" at the paper mill. But D.V. Parikh and
Tim Calamari of the
Agricultural Research Service envision a
different fate for the lowly linter. The result could mean lowering the high
cost of using staple fibers in absorbent wipes, cosmetic pads and other
non-woven products. Both men are textile scientists at ARS'
Southern Regional Research Center in
New Orleans. ARS is the chief research agency of the
U.S. Department of Agriculture. Parikh and Calamari have invented a multi-step process for creating a new,
non-woven fabric blend from a mixture of staple and linter fibers rescued from
the cutting mill. The key step is carding. This process forces linters and
staple fibers to combine to form a single, smooth sheet, or batt, that's very
durable. The scientists have applied for patent protection on the process. From the new blend, the scientists have produced soft, highly-absorbent
wipes and pads with the same look, feel and quality of commercial products
containing 100 percent cotton staple fibers. The short, thick linters impart
bulk and porosity for better absorption. The staples confer strength, softness
and esthetic qualities. Additionally, the linters' raw materials cost is lower: roughly 18 cents a
pound versus 80 cents or more for staples. Bleached linters cost about 50 cents
a pound, compared to $1.35 for staples. The scientists are seeking a commercial partner to help refine the bi-fiber
blend. Scientific contact: D.V. Parikh and Tim Calamari,
Cotton Textile
Engineering Research Unit, ARS Southern Regional Research Center, New
Orleans, La., (504) 286-4541, fax (504) 286-4419,
[email protected],
[email protected].
Story contacts Jan R Suszkiw U.S. Department of Agriculture | |