As part of a master’s thesis in the Ecodesign program at Campus Wieselburg, Mag. Annabell Eder investigated the “raw material analysis, potential assessment, and textile processing” of horse hair into nonwoven fabrics. The focus was not on the tail and mane hair that is already used occasionally, but rather on the much shorter hair shed during the seasonal coat change. “The study presents a creative approach to unlocking new fiber sources and developing sustainable products,” explains Prof. Dr. Claus-Ekkehard Koukal of Hof University of Applied Sciences.
Extensive Raw Material Collection
For the research project, nearly 31 kilograms of raw fiber were collected in advance. The collection effort was supported by numerous private horse owners. The quality of the hair varied considerably, depending on whether it was collected directly from the horse or from the ground, how intensively the animals had been groomed, and how carefully the collection process was carried out. In addition to the hair itself, the material naturally contained dust, hay, and other contaminants.
As a result, the researchers discussed potential improvements for future industrial use, including specialized collection brushes and centralized collection points at equestrian centers and agricultural supply stores. Chemical analyses subsequently confirmed the typical composition of keratin-based natural fibers and clearly identified the material as an animal-derived natural resource.
Initial Textile Trials Deliver Promising Results
A key focus of the study was to determine whether shedding hair could be technically processed into nonwoven fabrics. Initial sample production was carried out by Groz-Beckert. The trials revealed that the smooth fibers, which exhibit very little crimp, are difficult to process. Therefore, targeted nonwoven formation experiments were conducted at Hof University of Applied Sciences under the scientific supervision of Prof. Dr. Claus-Ekkehard Koukal.
In these trials, horse hair was combined with other natural or nature-based fibers. Particularly promising results were achieved by embedding horse hair between two wool nonwovens using the well-established needle-punching technique. This approach could lead to future applications in products such as horse blankets or sound-absorbing materials.
“The results show that horse hair is fundamentally suitable as a sustainable textile raw material, although further research is still required to ensure reliable fiber integration,” says Koukal.
Sustainable Prospects for Previously Unused Fibers
Experiments involving lyocell fibers, as well as technologies such as hydroentanglement and needle-punching, have already resulted in the production of initial functional nonwoven fabrics. The researchers see significant potential for sustainable textile applications and innovative material concepts in line with the principles of the circular economy.
The master’s thesis was carried out by Mag. Annabell Eder in collaboration with Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Emmerich Haimer and Prof. Dr. Claus-Ekkehard Koukal.
