Objectives
The objective of this project was to investigate the feasibility of producing non-woven mats made from salvaged flax straw fiber.
Project Description
A useful purpose for salvage flax straw has yet to surface in Saskatchewan. There is an abundance of this raw material that is burned in farmer’s fields every year. This project took a look at developing a non-woven flax straw mat product from the salvage flax straw that would also have a potential market. This development would not only benefit the direct stakeholders in the project, but Saskatchewan flax producers as well.
SAGEOS Geosynthetics Technology Centre in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec was consulted regarding production methods and equipment options. We visited their laboratories to get a first had look at the equipment and production options and were able to get a small sample mat produced. After examining many options, the visit to Quebec proved that a needle punched product would be the most viable.
Market research was conducted to determine potential uses for the mats. During our research, we discovered that there would also be a use for the salvage flax straw in a slurry application form.
We have examined uses in road construction, erosion control, horticulture and tree nurseries, golf courses and other potential uses. We have had a lot of interest and excitement about this development from the contacts that we have made and have been encouraged to continue with developing sample products for test marketing.
The development of large sample mats and slurry formulas is needed to pursue the test marketing phase of our project. The large samples can be produced in Minnesota and the slurry can be developed here in Saskatchewan with the assistance of the PFRA. Timing is critical for this next step in order to obtain flax straw after the fields are harvested before it is burned.
