Harvard’s salt trick could turn billions of tons of hair into eco-friendly materials

Scientists at Harvard have discovered how salts like lithium bromide break down tough proteins such as keratin—not by attacking the proteins directly, but by altering the surrounding water structure. This breakthrough opens the door to a cleaner, more sustainable way to recycle wool, feathers, and hair into valuable materials, potentially replacing plastics and fueling new industries.

source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250916221913.htm