Eco-Friendly Chitosan Composites: Transforming Miscanthus, Mushroom, Textile and Olive Waste into Sustainable Materials

Abstract

Recycling olive waste, a major by-product of the olive oil industry, presents significant environmental and economic benefits. This study explores the potential of olive waste (OW) by-products, specifically their individual components such as olive stones (OS), olive oily pomace (OS) and olive oil-free pomace (OF), as sustainable alternatives to wood in eco-friendly composite materials, alongside other residues such as miscanthus, spent mushroom substrate and recycled textile waste. Composite panels were produced with densities ranging from 685 to 907 kg/m3 through thermocompression. The manuscript details the production methodology and assesses the panel’s thermal performance, water absorption, and mechanical strength. The aim is to assess the viability of these alternative materials in producing composites that could serve as environmentally friendly substitutes for traditional wood-based products. Oil-free pomace is a promising and effective alternative to wood, suitable for dry environments. Composite panels composed of miscanthus or spent mushroom substrate and oil-free pomace met the EN 312 standards for general-purpose products in dry conditions, highlighting their potential for use in sustainable applications.

Keywords

• chitosan
• agricultural and textile wastes
• sustainable materials
• mechanical properties
• durability