Abstract: A process for converting components of poultry production feather waste into value-added products involves a single counterflow or batch system wash in a polar organic solvent solution. The feather waste can contain loose, picked feathers, and non-feather avian parts. The feather-waste stream is exposed to a concentration gradient of solvent which sanitizes, denatures, dehydrates, and de-oils it. In one aspect, the counterflow contact between solvent solution and feather waste takes place in an inclined screw conveyor. The process produces avian oil and protein from a liquid intermediate stream and dry fiber and protein powder from the converted waste stream. Fiber from this process can be used in fabrics, composites, extrusions and laminates. Oil and protein can be used in biochemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, animal feed, and fertilizer products.

Abstract: A wide variety of end products may be manufactured from fibers or fiber pulp derived from feathers. Examples of such end products are paper and paper-like products, non-woven and woven fibers, insulation, filters, extrusions, and composite sheets and plates.