Casein Fibres (Milk Protein Fibres)
topic
Casein fibres produced from milk protein (casein) extracted from skim milk via acid precipitation, dissolved in alkaline solution, wet-spun into acid bath, and hardened with formaldehyde or other crosslinkers. Properties: tenacity 1.0-1.5 g/den, soft wool-like handle, moisture regain 14-16%, natural antimicrobial properties. Modern production: Qmilk (Germany) from waste milk unsuitable for consumption.
Role
Valorizes dairy waste while producing biodegradable fibres with inherent antimicrobial properties (silver-free) suitable for underwear, medical textiles, and specialty apparel, though limited by cost and production scale.