The project titled "Development of Acoustic and Thermal Insulation Materials from Polyamide/Elastane Containing Tights and Knee-high Sock Waste" under the coordination of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hande Sezgin has been successfully completed.

Launched in June 2022, the project aimed to develop innovative insulation materials from tights and knee-high sock waste, aligning with a sustainable approach. As part of the project, sock waste was collected, sorted, and separated into fibers, followed by production methods such as carding, needling, and hot pressing to create insulation materials in three different forms. The thermal and acoustic properties of the developed samples were tested.

The project aimed to recycle polyamide waste back into the economy while investigating its effects on sound and heat insulation. Additionally, mathematical modeling was carried out to increase structural voids. The project not only supports the design of environmentally friendly materials but also demonstrates the superior properties of polyamide waste over other thermoplastic polymers due to its high economic value.

This project, being one of the first academic studies and sectoral waste reports addressing this waste type, has made a significant contribution to the development of sustainable materials and increasing public awareness.