Search

During marble processing, cutting and polishing, more than 12 MT (million tons) of marble waste per year has been produced only in the state of Rajasthan, India. Safe disposal of such huge quantity of marble wastes become a major environmental issue. In the present study, attempt have been made to recycle marble waste collected from Makrana marble processing industries, Rajasthan, as raw materials, for making composite materials. Characterisation studies showed that the major mineral present in marble waste are Calcite (CaCO3), Dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2) and Quartz (SiO3). Composite materials were made using marble waste reinforced with jute textile fibres in epoxy resin system. The findings of the study showed that marble waste composites reinforced with jute textile have resulted about 50% higher flexural strength (48.48 MPa) than the commercially available MDF (medium density fibre) board (24.23 MPa). It also showed very low water absorption (24 hour immersion) and thickness swelling. The microstructure of fractured surface of marble waste composite showed very good bonding between the marble waste, fibre and the matrix. The composite materials have multifunctional applications in civil construction sector, transport system as doors, false ceilings, architectural wall panels, partition and furniture etc. The marble waste composite materials are stronger than teak wood and other traditional materials such as medium density board, particle board, and rice husk board. Commercial realisation of this composite technology would significantly contribute to Nation program on clean India, make in India and advanced manufacturing missions. Efforts are being made to ease the commercialisation of this technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jute (the golden fibre) has been cultivated in India since time immemorial. About 5 million people get employment in jute farming, trading and industry though the crop occupies only 0.55% of the gross cropped area of the country. The traditional usage of jute has been sustained in packing as hessian, sacking, and carpet backing. However, in recent times jute has application prospects that ranges from geo-textiles to apparel, carpet, decorative items, upholstery, home furnishings, fancy non-woven etc. Though the diversification of jute fibre made it a very attractive industrial commodity, the farmers are not able to reap the benefits through its cultivation. Moreover, jute bye-products viz. jute leaves, jute stick, jute caddies (mill waste) and jute root cuttings are not used efficiently. If these bye-product resources can be utilized properly poor farmers will be benefited and it will be a boost to our national economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides news information from the Metso Paper Inc. The Paperboards & Specialty Papers Division in India will be supplied by Metso Paper with a rebuild of their Bhadrachalam mill PM 4 board machine. The Brazilian dissolving pulp producer Bahia Pulp chooses Metso Paper Inc. to supply them new lines of pulp. New equipment will be supplied by Metso Panelboard to Sonae Novobord's new particleboard line in White River, South Africa.