SBIR-STTR Award

The objective of this research is to develop three types of organic mulches made from cotton ginning byproducts for use in the annual flower bed and turf establishment (dry and hydro) markets, nationwide. APPROACH: This project will fabricate advanced mulches from cotton byproducts, identify additives, and collect necessary information to ensure that this new product will be both useful and profitable when introduced into the marketplace. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The research described in this proposal is required to develop a family of three new products, Ornamental Cotton Mulches, which will be marketed for the annual flower bed and turf establishment industries. Specifically, a new dry applied mulch for suppression of weeds and moisture conservation in annual flowers beds, a dry mulch for turf establishment and a hydrated mulch for the turf hydro-seeding industry will be produced and marketed nationally. This exceptional business opportunity exists because there is a growing surplus of cotton gin byproduct and a significant need in the ornamental industry for improved mulch product. The research proposed is obligatory to close the gap between the surplus source material and a marketable product. Specifically, research is needed for the fabrication of advanced mulches from cotton byproducts, the identification of additives, and the collection of necessary information to ensure that this new product will be both useful and profitable when introduced into the marketplace. This project will result in benefits to the cotton industry, the green industry and the public.

Keywords:
cotton; mulch; flower beds; turf

For every cotton bale produced an average of 375 lbs of cotton gin byproduct byproduct is generated. This translates into approximately 3 million tons of cotton gin waste every year. The accumulation of byproducts behind a gin, during the ginning season, can be substantial. Cotton gin byproducts are also a health, management and ecological problem for the cotton industry. The limited and inadequate means of disposing it are costing the cotton industry and ultimately the public money. The proposed SBIR project will translate into economic gains for the cotton industry and environmental gains wherever erosion control is needed. Support the sustainment of the cotton industry by meeting their need to recycle cotton gin byproducts. Further, it will accomplish this in such a way as to reduce the need to burn and bury the byproducts. Finally, it will reduce the cost of producing cotton by creating a beneficial and profitable method to recycle cotton gin byproducts. It is expected to result in the production of several value-added mulch products that are superior to the current industry standards for erosion control and green industries.