Effect of harvest time on cattail (Typha) fibers for non-woven applications.

The objective of the proposed project is to develop the fibre properties of the common cattail, Typha latifolia, and to investigate the effect of harvest time on fibre quality as it relates to nonwoven applications, such as composites and packaging industries. Recent study has revealed that cattails contain fibres with properties that suggest applications in industrial applications, and Typha co., which is a Winnipeg based company, intends on finding market applications of these common wetland plants otherwise left unused. The aim of this study is to highlight the optimal conditions for harvesting cattails in a controlled environment, should commercial interest for cattail-based bio-products develop, in order to introduce and establish cattails as a novel resource in the Canadian bioeconomy.

Faculty Supervisor:

Danny Mann;Mashiur Rahman

Student:

Julien Koga

Partner:

Typha Co

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

Program: