Added-Value of Cotton Textile Waste for Nonwoven Applications

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This work presented a study about the added-value of cotton textile waste for nonwovens applications. The work has some potential. However, several points need to be improved, mainly in the discussion section, as pointed below.

 

Abstract: please add more numerical results in the abstract. I also suggest clearer about the methodology and characterization techniques used in this work.

Introduction: clearer the novelty of this work.

Section: if possible add the dimensions of the “small pieces”.

Section 2.3: please add the parameters/conditions used during preparation of cotton fibres suspension from cotton waste.

Section 3: I suggest compare the physical-mechanical properties obtained in this study with others from the literature. In addition, try to complement the discussion in all section 3 using previously published studies.  

Table 2: It is very hard to see the scale bar in Figure 2. If possible better show the scale bar.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Minor editing of English language required.

Author Response

Comment 1: Abstract: please add more numerical results in the abstract. I also suggest clearer about the methodology and characterization techniques used in this work.

Response 1: Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment. Therefore, we have updated the abstract according to the suggestion.

Comment 2: Introduction: clearer the novelty of this work.

Response 2: Although some studies refer to the use of recycled cotton fibres in the production of non-woven fabrics and paper through wet-laid processes, the use of cotton waste-based fibres in blends with Kraft cellulose pulp in wet-laid non-wovens has not yet been exploited.

Comment 3: Section: if possible add the dimensions of the “small pieces”.

Response 3: Thank you for pointing this out. The dimensions of the small pieces were identified.

Comment 4: Section 2.3: please add the parameters/conditions used during preparation of cotton fibres suspension from cotton waste.

Response 4: Thank you for the suggestion. The content was updated according to the suggestion.

Comment 5: Section 3: I suggest compare the physical-mechanical properties obtained in this study with others from the literature. In addition, try to complement the discussion in all section 3 using previously published studies.

Response 5: In the literature, there are no studies focused on the use of wood pulp in blends with cotton recycled fibres.

Comment 6: Table 2: It is very hard to see the scale bar in Figure 2. If possible better show the scale bar.

Response 6: The images related to this issue were replaced according to the new trials and characterization test results, nevertheless, the scale bar was changed following the suggestion.

Comment 7: Minor editing of English language required.

Response 7: An English revision was carried out.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This manuscript is particularly well written and documented, and clearly shows the possibility of introducing cotton waste into wet-laid nonwovens while maintaining the characteristics, particularly mechanical.

One remark however: it would have been interesting to carry out a partial LCA in order to assess the water and energy savings that this recycling can generate (which is a current global concern).

Furthermore, please put a clear scale on the microscopy images, the magnification is not enough to assess the size of the fibers in particular.

A slight correction of the English language could be carried out, although this in no way hinders the reading and understanding of the work developed by the authors.

Author Response

Comment 1:.One remark however: it would have been interesting to carry out a partial LCA in order to assess the water and energy savings that this recycling can generate (which is a current global concern).

Response 1: The available results on the approach using cotton textile waste are based on preliminary trials, so are not representative and suitable for a proper LCA study. In any case, once the process is optimised, the LCA of the obtained solutions will be carried out, comparing them with the 100% virgin raw material solution. The conclusions section has been updated for this purpose.

Comment 2: Furthermore, please put a clear scale on the microscopy images, the magnification is not enough to assess the size of the fibers in particular.

Response 2: The images related to this issue were replaced according to the new trials and characterization test results, nevertheless, the scale bar was changed following the suggestion.

Comment 3: A slight correction of the English language could be carried out, although this in no way hinders the reading and understanding of the work developed by the authors.

Response 3: An English revision was carried out.

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

After corrections the manuscript was substantially improved. I suggest publication in its current form.