Agglomerated cotton gin waste: its production and application in housing construction

Abstract The feasibility of producing blocks and boards through the agglomeration of cotton ginnig process waste with calcium binders was proven in previous studies. This waste represents a serious problem for ginning plants, which annually produce a high amount of waste without final destination, as is the case in Argentina. The variability of the annual cotton production, geographical dispersion of ginners and transportation costs make it difficult to propose high-complexity recycling alternatives. This study proposes that that waste is used as a raw material to manufacture composites made of cotton gin waste and portland cement, using simple, easily appropriable and transferable technologies. This paper analyses the characteristics of the composites obtained and the influence that different production parameters have on them and on the productivity of the process. The results achieved show an improvement of the process productivity by using industrial grade additives, as well as better hygrothermal behavior of housing envelopes due to the incorporation of these composites, replacing high cost materials and complex construction technologies.