This paper investigates the biodegradation properties of cellulose fibers and PLA biopolymer. For that purpose, hemp, jute, and sisal fibers as lignocellulose fibers; viscose fibers (CV) as regenerated cellulose; and polylactide (PLA) as biopolymer were buried in farmland soil for periods of 2, 4, 7, 9 and 11 days under controlled conditions. The influence of their biodegradation on the fiber mechanical properties, bacteria and fungi population, as well as on the soil quality were investigated. After exposure to microorganisms, analyses of the fibers’ morphological (SEM), chemical (FTIR), and thermal (TGA) properties were conducted to achieve a comprehensive understanding of their biodegradability. The analysis concluded that lignin and pectin content have a greater impact on the biodegradation of hemp, jute, and sisal fibers than factors like crystallinity and degree of polymerization. The viscose fibers showed lower biodegradability despite their lower degree of polymerization, indicating a resistance to biodegradation due to the “skin” formed during the spinning process. PLA fibers experienced chemical hydrolysis and significant microbial attack, resulting in reduced tenacity. The acquired findings yield valuable insights into the biodegradability of the fibers, thereby facilitating the selection of appropriate fibers for the development of environmentally sustainable products. Notably, a literature review revealed a paucity of research on fiber biodegradability, underscoring the significance of the present study’s contributions.

As society becomes more aware of environmental pollution, global warming, and environmental disasters, people are increasingly turning to sustainable materials and products. This includes agrotextiles in a wide range of products, including nonwoven agrotextiles for mulching. This review provides insight into relevant available data and information on the condition, possibilities, and trends of nonwoven mulches from natural fibres, biopolymers, and recycled sources. The basic definitions and differences between biodegradation and composting processes are explained, and the current standards related to biodegradation are presented. In addition, an insight into the biodegradation of various nonwoven mulches and films, including their advantages and disadvantages, is provided, to predict the future directions of nonwoven mulches development.

The use of synthesized natural starches for the sizing process in fabric production is primarily an environmental contribution. Synthesized corn starch is environmentally friendly and productive, showing good results in cotton yarn sizing. Acrylamide (AA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) were applied for the grafting process of corn starch, and the initiators azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), potassium persulfate (KPS), and benzoyl peroxide (BP) were chosen to form the grafted monomers more effectively. The application of synthesized corn starch has been confirmed, especially with the AIBIN initiator in the grafting process of HEMA onto starch. The FTIR analysis confirmed that new and efficient products for sizing cotton yarns based on natural raw material (corn) were developed. The research showed that the synthesized corn starch improved physical-mechanical yarn properties and abrasion resistance and reduced yarn surface hairiness. Ultrasonic desizing of yarn and the use of a lower size concentration led to better results than desizing by washing, and the Tegewa numbers confirmed that the desizing process was successful.

The objective of this research was to verify the feasibility of the use of newly synthesized biopolymer materials for sizing cotton yarns based on the basic principles of chemical modification. Research included acid hydrolysis of potato starch up to controlled molar masses together with graft-polymerization and methacrylic acid onto hydrolyzed starch to improve hydrophilicity and solubility, to increase the capability of film forming, to increase adhesive potential and to avoid retrogradation phenomena. Research objectives were primarily focused on finding an appropriate, environmentally-friendly and productive sizing agent for cotton yarns via the analysis and systematization of a large number of synthesis methods in conjunction with the characterization and properties of graft-copolymers. The research results showed that potassium persulfate initiator was most efficient in grafting of methacrylic acid onto hydrolyzed starch, while azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBIN) initiator was most efficient in grafting of acrylic acid (AC). FTIR analysis confirmed that new and efficient products for sizing cotton yarns from synthetized potato starch were obtained. Research on rheological properties of copolymers shows a higher viscosity of grafted products indicating the good stability of potential starches. Ecological improvements have been established through high desizing degree as well as improvements in physical-mechanical properties of yarn, abrasion resistance and decrease in yarn surface hairiness were noticed. The use of new derivatives of potato starch, especially of hydrolyzed starch grafted with methacrylic acid (MAA), potassium persulfate (KPS) as initiator, was confirmed. Anova statistical analysis determined the influence of the entire sizing process on individual yarn parameters.

The role of automotive textile materials is of great importance and therefore this paper analyses the properties of such materials – airbag fabrics and upholstery fabrics. Fundamental characteristics and construction parameters of airbag fabrics and artificial leather with bonded textile fabric on the back side, as well as joining (sewing) and quality of joining places of cut parts are crucial for durability, comfort and aesthetics of the automotive interior design, and therefore were analysed. Airbag fabric specificity and extreme values of several parameters are achieved by manufacturing process, with extremely high densities in the warp and weft direction, resulting in a great strength and air permeability properties of very low level. The most important parameters for upholstery fabrics (artificial leather) durability are breaking force and elongation at break, and they were tested in different circular directions. Tests showed the direction with greater breaking properties, what is of paramount importance.

The need for sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic mulches in agriculture has led to the development of various types of biodegradable mulches made from natural fibres and biopolymers to reduce environmental pollution and mitigate soil pollution caused by conventional plastic mulch usage. Degradation, impact on soil temperature and humidity, and weed suppression properties of needle-punched nonwoven mulches of different mass per unit area, made of jute, hemp, viscose, and PLA biopolymer, are investigated. Their biodegradation is determined by changes in the mulch properties (mass per unit area, thickness, air permeability, tensile properties, microscopic images, and FTIR analyses) during 300 days of exposure to the environmental conditions in the period from May 2022 to February 2023. The change in mass per unit area, thickness, air permeability, and tensile properties of nonwoven mulches did not show a tendency to degrade during exposure to environmental conditions. The microscopic and FTIR analysis showed the degradation of the fibres from the mulches during the exposure time to a certain extent. The environmental conditions influence the change in the dimensions of the mulches (shrinkage and expansion)—which impact periodically tested mass results per unit area—as well as their thickness and air permeability. The nonwoven mulches provide higher temperatures compared to bare soil, though not as high as those observed beneath traditional agricultural foil. When comparing the humidity in bare soil and soil covered by mulches during the plant growth period (June to October), it was found that soil humidity was higher beneath all mulches. The nonwoven mulches provide superior soil moisture retention compared to conventionally used agrofoil. Almost all nonwoven mulches effectively suppressed weed growth, except hemp mulches. The newly produced mulches have the potential to replace traditional agrofoil, offering improved conditions for plant growth, effective weed control, and faster degradation without causing harm to the environment.