Design Engineering PhD Scholarship 6

Valorisation of viticulture waste for textile innovation

Abstract
This proposal aims to leverage a growing national waste stream for the sustainable production of circular textiles. The UK wine industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years, driven in part by climate change. This expansion has increased viticulture waste, particularly grape pomace. The project will explore innovative methods to transform grape pomace into textiles suitable for fashion, footwear, and automotive industries. By developing process blueprints for waste conversion, we aim to create a sustainable alternative to traditional materials like bovine leather. These blueprints will be validated through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) comparisons with conventional leather production methods. 

How to Apply 
Please contact Dr Elena Dieckmann if you are interested in applying for this project. 

For more information on submitting a PhD application, please consult our application pages here. When you submit your application, please cite this project title in the 'how you are planning to fund your PhD' section.