The spotlight will be on biocomposites at the forthcoming Composites Europe 2015 which takes place in Stuttgart from September 22-24.
Wood and natural fibres such as cotton, flax fibre, hemp, jute and kenaf are gaining steadily in importance as bio-based composites, says the Nova Institute, which is teaming up with the event organiser to display the products of around 20 companies in this field.
Dashboards, car door panels and airline service trolleys are just three of the areas where biocomposites are now finding success in lightweight construction designs.
“The carbon footprint of natural fibres is four times lower than that of conventional fibres,” says Michael Carus, Nova Institute managing director. “They are significantly less dense, which enables the production of very lightweight composites, like those already being deployed in high volumes by the automotive industry.”
Companies involved in the Stuttgart showcase include Germany’s Biowert a biorefinery which is producing plastics from meadow grass.
Belgium-based TransFurans is a specialist is furfuryl alcohol, a chemical that’s both renewable and carbon-neutral and deployed, for example, in the production of thermosets for sophisticated high-temperature applications.
The JRS (J Rettenmaier) group of companies is researching, developing and processing high-quality organic fibres made from renewable plant-based raw materials. Products from cellulose or grain, fruit and wood fibres are turned into microfibres, compacted and granular materials, blends and special dosage forms.
EcoTechnilin is also working on a variety of bio-based projects, including variations of its FibriPreg technology, in which is combines flax nonwovens with the furfural-based bioresin of TransFurans.
Current products include FibriCard, which has been deployed in Jaguar cars, and FibriBoard, which is used by the automotive industry in seat backs and door panels.
“We’ll show samples of our various bio-based products at Composites Europe,” said William Anthony, EcoTechnilin’s marketing director. “Our main focus will be on FibriRock, our aviation composite. We’ll have a complete service trolley at our stand and will show how biofibres have contributed to making it the lightest 50 kg capacity cart with the ability to pass the stringent new 21G tests.”
Another Belgian company, Isomatex, specialises in enriched volcanic rock filament, among other products. In the production of stable mineral products it is focussed on reducing environmental pollution to an absolute minimum and ensuring complete recyclability.
Fimalin meanwhile, is dedicated to representing companies from the entire linen production value chain in France all the way to composites.
“Natural fibres come with excellent technical characteristics, and they’re available in sufficient and stable quality at prices that are definitely competitive,” says Gabriele Peterek, of the German Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR) which will also provide information on biocomposites in Suttgart. “Bio-based composites are one of our core subjects and in recent years, we’ve supported a number of different research projects, especially those using natural fibre-reinforced materials in the automotive sector. Our Composites Europe display will feature items from this segment.
The FNR believes the current economic system will have to be reorganised in the foreseeable future – for both environmental protection and supply reasons. The use of natural fibre-reinforced materials would be a great first step in that direction it says.
The European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) will also provide information on natural fibre solutions – specifically from industrially produced hemp.
“Industrial hemp is known for its strong fibres,” says Dominik Vogt of the European Industrial Hemp Association. “They are increasingly deployed by European carmakers to reinforce plastic parts used in the interior and to manufacture eco-friendly insulation and nonwoven materials. At our stand, we’ll touch on all the facets of the industrial hemp plant such as pulp and paper, insulation, biocomposites and construction and food and feed. The focus, though, will of be on natural fibre-reinforced plastics and biocomposites such as fibres, granular injection moulding materials and finished components made from hemp fibre-reinforced plastics for car interiors.”
In addition to the group stand, Composites Europe 2015 will host the first bio!CAR, conference for the automotive industry on September 24-25.
No comments:
Post a Comment