| Abstract [eng] |
Since time immemorial, materials of animal or plant origin, such as leather, wool, silk or cotton, flax or hemp fibres, and fabrics made from them, as well as other materials of biological origin, have remained extremely important because of their unique properties, which synthetically produced materials cannot replicate. Bio-based materials are characterized by excellent biocompatibility with the human body; they are biodegradable; their waste products are generally not harmful to the environment ; and they are derived from renewable sources. For example, we can tan the collagen of hide/skin and use the produced leather for clothing, footwear, furniture or car upholstery—leather has a vast range of applications. Also, we can produce gelatine from the collagen and eat it. It can be used in various medical or cosmetic preparations. Although much is known about leather, wool, hemp, cotton, cellulose and other biobased materials, the abundance of research and reports on their properties suggests that current knowledge is not yet comprehensive and that there may be new ways of producing, utilizing, and managing waste from these materials. |
