Valorisation of cattail (Typha) biomass: Fibre extraction, properties, and applications in sustainable material systems

Publication Type

Journal Article

Name of Author

• Bethwel Kipchirchir Tarus, Department of Manufacturing, Industrial and Textile Engineering, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
• Tusekile Said Alfredy, Department of Materials and Energy Science and Engineering, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Tanzania
• Josphat Igadwa Mwasiagi, Department of Manufacturing, Industrial and Textile Engineering, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
• Yusufu Abeid Chande Jande, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania

Publication Date (Issue Year)

2026

Journal Name

Bioresource Technology Reports

Abstract

The cattail plant (Typha spp.) is a low-cost, renewable, and multifunctional natural fibre resource with strong potential for sustainable and circular material systems. This review explores the extraction methods, properties, and application potential of cattail fibres. Fibre origin and the extraction route are key factors affecting fibre microstructure and performance. Mechanical extraction typically yields fibres with high variability, whereas optimized alkali, enzymatic, and hybrid treatments substantially enhance fibre quality. Consequently, reported tensile strengths for leaf and stem fibres span from below 100 MPa in untreated form to values exceeding 1000 MPa under optimized processing conditions. On a specific property basis, optimized cattail leaf/stem fibres perform competitively compared to conventional fibres, albeit with greater variability. In composites, cattail fibres act as effective lightweight reinforcements, offering improved mechanical performance, energy absorption, and damping. Cattail seed fibres, despite limited tensile capacity, exhibit exceptional bulk resilience and hydrophobicity, enabling insulation, cushioning, filtration, and oil-sorption applications. Overall, cattail fibres emerge as versatile materials whose performance is governed by method-property relationships, supporting their potential as next-generation sustainable materials.

Keywords

Cattail fibres, Natural fibres, Biodegradable fibres, Sustainable materials

Grantee Name(s)

Bethwel Kipchirchir Tarus

Project Title

Development of a high-performance biodegradable nanofibrous filter obtained from cattail-fruit fibres for reusable facemasks

Type of Grant

JIRA Award

Thematic Area

Minerals, Mining and Materials Engineering

Funding Statement

The work was carried out with the financial support of the PASET Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the donors.

Recommended Citation

Tarus, B. K., Alfredy, T. S., Mwasiagi, J. I., & Chande Jande, Y. A. (2026). Valorisation of cattail (Typha) biomass: Fibre extraction, properties, and applications in sustainable material systems. Bioresource Technology Reports https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2026.102570