Biomaterials derived from protein fiber waste: a literature review

Abstract

This study presents a literature review on the valorization of animal-derived protein fiber waste, such as wool, primarily generated in the textile sector, for the development of usable biomaterials across different sectors and industries. Following the PRISMA methodology, 37 scientific articles published between 2020 and 2025 were selected from the Scopus database. The results indicate that protein fiber waste is mainly processed through hydrolysis and subsequently transformed into fibrous materials, films, bioplastics, hydrogels, and protein hydrolysates. Biomedical applications are frequently reported in the literature, whereas industrial, environmental, and textile applications are scarcely addressed, highlighting gaps in sustainable processes that could be applied on a larger scale. Overall, the findings emphasize the potential of protein fiber waste as an alternative raw material for material production within circular economy strategies.