The Big Bag Nat project aims to develop big bags using natural materials (linen and hemp). The production of big bags generates 800,000 tonnes of plastic worldwide every year. Nearly 65% are single-use and 50% of these are recycled, but never reused in the manufacture of new big bags. The Big Bag Nat project, which aims to replicate the mechanical behaviour of synthetic big bags as closely as possible, will need to overcome obstacles in the design of the yarns, the choice of weaves and the appropriate weaving techniques, while optimising the environmental performance of the processes used at each stage of the design. The project aims to use both short and long fibres from flax and hemp; the appropriate preparation of the fibres will also be a challenge for the project, as techniques for retting hemp fibre, for example, are still poorly understood.
To confirm the environmental benefits of the solution developed, an LCA will be carried out and recycling solutions for the various components of the new Big Bag will be proposed.