Cotton Gin By-Products Utilization: Past, Present, and Future

Authors: Alege, Femi; Tumuluru, Jaya Shankar; Holt, Gregory; Donohoe, Sean; Delhom, Christopher; Wanjura, John; VAN DER SLUIJS, MARINUS - Deakin University; Thomas, Joseph

Submitted to: Journal of Cotton Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/20/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The number of cotton gins has decreased over the years, but they continue to gin more cotton. Because of these changes, the amount of cotton gin byproducts (CGB), also called ‘gin trash’, has increased at many gins. Researchers have studied multiple ways to add value to the byproducts once deemed as wastes. Many of the methods can work for CGB, but the gins may not make money. To develop new systems, there is the need to review existing and emerging methods as it relates to costs and changes in the industry. This study reviewed the current state of the art and analyzed the prospects of select emerging waste treatment for CGB. The study also discussed future improvements. New data from studies in the USA and Australia was also provided. The results showed that the main limiting factors are production costs (e.g., energy and feedstock costs) and logistics. With some changes, many of the technologies can use CGB to make products for different uses. These changes include — optimize treatment processes, combine multiple processes, treat CGB with other materials, and improve process profitability.

Technical Abstract: The regional concentration of cotton gin byproducts (CGB) has increased significantly over the past three decades because of the consolidation of smaller gins into larger gins. While several studies have investigated the potential of various waste treatment/valorization technologies to improve the management of CGB, most of the technologies' economic feasibility remains a challenge. Therefore, there is a need to review the existing and emerging technologies vis-à-vis the process economics and the changes in the cotton ginning industry. This study reviews the published status of these existing technologies (in terms of the challenges and potentials), analyzes the prospects of some emerging waste treatment technologies for CGB, and discusses future economic and environmental sustainability directions. Where appropriate, new information from studies conducted in the USA and Australia was provided to support existing published data. The results showed that the main limiting factors include production costs (e.g., energy and feedstock/additives costs) and logistics/supply. Additionally, the results support a solid potential for the sustainable utilization of CGB for various applications. However, the potential can be achieved by optimizing specific treatment processes, combining multiple processes through hybrid or integrated systems, co-treating CGB with other affordable and readily available materials (such as byproducts from other agricultural operations), and improving ROI for products developed.