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Rethinking the design of upholstered seating from a circular and acoustics-conscious perspective

Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Industrial symbiosis represents a resource-efficiency approach in which multiple industries share by-products that would otherwise end up in landfill. This study proposes the implementation of an industrial symbiosis relationship between th textile and forniture sectors to reduce the impacts of waste produced by the textile industry. The idea was to use textile waste to replace polyurethane foam in the padding of armchairs. As well as the environmental outcomes, the research aims to provide a seat with the additional value of excellent acoustic performance, capable of ensuring the acoustic comfort of spaces. Therefore, in addition to a life cycle assessment analysis, laboratory tests were carried out to characterize the sound absorbing behaviour of the armchairs with the innovative and the traditional padding. The evaluation of the acoustic performance of the seats was preceded by an acoustic and a microstructural characterization of the two materials, i.e. the nonwoven textile waste and the polyurethane foam. Results showed that the re-designed textile seat exhibited a greater sound absorption area than the polyurethane seat, due to its more porous microstructure. The life cycle assesment emphasized the sustainability of nonwoven textile waste compared to polyurethane foam. Additionally, various transport solutions were examined to minimize the impact of transportation during the production of nonwoven textile waste material. However, the analysis of the behavior of the nonwoven textile waste and the polyurethane foam in combination with eco-leather and fabric layers highlighted the need to use sound transparent coverings to exploit the sound absorbing ability of the armchairs.
DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.113840
Language: English
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,280
OpenAlex ID: W4414946293
FWCI:
Cites: 42
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