The invention titled ‘Method for Producing Thermal Insulation Material from Pantyhose Waste,’ of which Assoc. Prof. Merve Küçükali Öztürk is among the inventors, has been patented.”

The invention titled ‘Method for Producing Thermal Insulation Material from Pantyhose Waste,’ of which Assoc. Prof. Merve Küçükali Öztürk from the Department of Textile and Fashion Design is among the inventors, has been officially patented by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office, granting it national-level protection.

The developed method involves cutting polyamide/elastane tights waste into small pieces, converting them into fibers using a carding machine, and forming a nonwoven fabric through needle punching. This process produces a new thermal insulation material, entirely based on waste, which can be used in panel and sheet forms.

Despite having lower thickness and density values compared to traditional glass wool and rock wool products, the insulation material obtained through this invention demonstrates superior performance in terms of thermal conductivity.

Providing an alternative to conventional insulation materials that pose risks to human health and the environment, the invention offers a safer and more sustainable insulation solution both during production and use by employing polyamide/elastane-based materials free of toxic compounds. The invention is significant in terms of recycling textile waste, contributing to solid waste management, and developing eco-friendly building materials. It represents a new generation of sustainable materials that could be widely used in building insulation systems and various industrial applications in the future.