NewslineVolume V, Issue 12 - June 11, 2004The Carpet and Rug Institute news for industry executives
Special Edition - CCACTI UpdateThe State of Georgia supports industry through a textile/carpet research program known as the Consortium on Competitiveness for the Apparel, Carpet, and Textile Industry (CCACTI). Allocation of funds in recent years has supported much needed research in a number of areas for the carpet industry. The CCACTI stated mission is to enhance the competitiveness of Georgia's apparel, carpet, textile, and allied industries in creating economic growth through expansion of existing industries and the attraction of related industries. This is accomplished by funding research and development projects that address industry-wide needs and opportunities for improvement. Research and development projects are conducted by University System of Georgia researchers in cooperation and support by industry partners. Although funding approval has yet to be finalized, the projects recently approved for expected funding for FY 2005 include those listed below. In This Issue: Emission Effects from Burning Carpet in Cement Kilns Proposed are additional tests to be performed at EPA's pilot-scale rotary
kiln combustor which would address the technical and environmental feasibility
of using carpet as an alternative fuel in cement kilns. Dr. Jim Mulholland can be contacted
.
Development of Generic, Next Generation Carpet Constructions The overall goal of the proposed research is to develop the next generation,
generic construction of broadloom carpet that will compete on both a performance
and cost basis with the current construction while avoiding the major disadvantages
of the latter. The current construction is a major impediment to post-consumer
carpet recycling. Dr. Fred Cook can be contacted . Products from Post-Consumer CarpetThe goal of this research "is developing uses for post-consumer carpets
in large volume applications". The primary objectives to meet this goal
are: (1) the creation of low cost thermoplastic compounds from carpet and (2)
the identification and fabrication of low cost products. Products used in construction
and transportation will be emphasized along with reuse in carpet applications.
Examples of products to be considered include pallets, structural lumber, truck
accessories, automotive parts and highway posts. Dr. John Muzzy can be contacted . Application of Nanotechnology to Attach Fluorochemicals Permanently to Nylon CarpetsThe introduction of antisoiling technology to the carpet industry greatly increased
the value to the consumer. Substantial improvements in the performance (and
value) of antisoiling carpets could be achieved if the fluorochemicals could
be permanently attached to the face fiber. Nanotechnology has been investigated
at Georgia Tech to modify the surface of nylon fibers. In this process, nanometer
sized molecules are chemically bonded to the fiber surface, making the treatment
permanent. Extending this technology to carpets offers much promise. Dr. Fred Cook can be contacted
. Quantification of Bioparticulate Adhesion and Trapping Capacity of Carpet Fiber using Atomic Force MicroscopyThis proposal will develop a novel measurement technique to quantify the adhesive
interactions between biological particulates and polymeric carpeting materials.
Carpeting is believed to act as a "sink" where bioparticulates are
trapped via adhesive interactions and then are released by foot traffic or conventional
vacuuming. Atomic force microscopy will be adapted to measure and quantify the
adhesive interactions of relevant biological particulates with nylon carpet
fiber materials. This new technique will be used to develop an extensive database
of bioparticle-fiber adhesive forces under a variety of conditions, and to seek
surface treatments that inhibit either the initial trapping or the subsequent
release via foot traffic. This proposal presents a partnership between Georgia
Tech and the Carpet and Rug Institute. Dr. Carson Merideth can be contacted . Environmental Stewardship in Carpet Products - Research on Robust Life Cycle and Reuse ApproachesThis research is aimed at establishing a strong quantitative life cycle framework
for use by the carpet industry. There are several objectives including: 1) to
prepare a representative, modular, base case nylon carpet life cycle through
the phases of raw materials production, manufacturing, use, and recovery and
recycling, 2) to establish a framework for posing future specific detailed questions
on carpet improvements and alternatives, 3) to develop clear assumptions, boundaries,
nomenclature, functional unit, and to allow these assumptions to be discussed
and improved as a commitment to transparency. The final objective is to develop
a carpet LCA tool that is a basic spreadsheet that will enable us to structure
input that a user is to provide. Dr. Matt Realff can be contacted . CRI Meetings* Chief Financial Officers Council (CFOC), June 29, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m., CRI Boardroom
CRI Participation in Upcoming Events* Republican Attorneys General Annual Meeting, June 13-14, Seattle, Washington If you are aware of other events that present significant opportunities to deliver our messages to our critical audiences, please contact Louise Dobbs at 706.428.2104. Check our website calendar for other industry related events |
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