UTILIZATION AND VALUE ADDITION TO SILK WASTE.

Raw silk production in India is about 24,000 MT. A host of silk waste is generated during the conversion of cocoons into raw silk. The silk waste, a by-product of the reeling industry, is normally used for making floss silk, spun silk and noil silk. Besides, a huge quantity of silk waste is exported as such at a lower price. The export of any material, without value-addition is not in the best interest of the industry. The process of value addition generates employment and also brings in more foreign exchange. This paper explores the possibility of employing silk waste to produce organic nonwovens. Silk nonwovens were developed using organic binders by eco-friendly means and evaluated. They were found to be aesthetic and also possessed functional properties. Based on their properties some possible commercial applications have been suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]