BioMatNet Item: FAIR-CT98-3919 - New functional biopolymer - natural fibre

FAIR-CT98-3919
New functional biopolymer - natural fibre - composites from agricultural resources

To find similar Items, click on a keyword below:
Biocomposites/Boards : Biopolymers/Gums : Composts/Fertilisers : FAIR Area 1.2 - Green Chemicals and Polymers Chain : Fibre : Paints/Coatings/Plastics

	Type of Project	Shared Cost
	Contract No	FAIR-CT97-3919
	Total Cost	2,412,686 ECU
	EC Contribution	1,500,000 ECU
	Start Date	01/06/1998
	Duration	36 Months

New functional biopolymer - natural fibre - composites from agricultural resources

Objectives

New highly functional fibre reinforced composite materials (at least 2) will be developed, based on natural fibres and thermoplastics from renewable agro-industrial resources. These composite materials will be chosen from 5 different fibres combined with 4 sorts of matrices. Additional combinations are investigated by modifying both fibres and matrix materials based on starch and proteins.

Technical Approach

The overall aim of this project is to provide at least one demonstration part, made of suitable composite material for automotive application. The automotive industry is playing a leading role in innovative material development. The experience with new biocomposites in those applications will therefore be used as door-opener to step into other markets. The biocomposite-demonstration part(s) will be manufactured on a pre-competitive level to show the potential of such materials. It is planned to deliver additional parts such as geotextiles and soil anchors in landscape application.

The necessary process technology for materials treatment and demonstration part manufacturing will be adapted and/or improved in order to obtain material and prototype part properties, which are competitive to commercial glass fibre reinforced polymers. Emphasis is put on the quality of materials, parts and manufacturing. All results on quality will be monitored and assessed at all different stages within the given product chain. As both fibres and matrix materials are obtained from renewable resources the composites and the demonstration parts will provide biodegradability as an additional stand alone criteria opening up new applications (e.g. triggerable biodegradation for well-defined product life) and additional waste management possibilities (as composting). Biodegradability will be assessed with standard tests and more sophisticated methods which are to be developed within this project. The ecological impact of these new biocomposites and their economical asset in terms of expected costs will be evaluated by means of a complete life cycle analysis.

Results to Date

Selection of fibre types and matrix materials
3 different types of fibres and 5 different types of matrix polymers are available for experiments

Contacts

Coordinator

Gregor KATZSCHNER / Fraunhofer-Institut für Verfahrenstechnik und Verpackung GERMANY

Participant