JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #44 - October 2008 - Special Asia - 18

BUSINESS Trends The SustainComp European project The European Commission has decided to invest 6.5 million euros in a large-scale project aimed at developing sustainable wood-based composite materials for a wide range of applications. The SustainComp project involves 17 organizations around Europe and is coordinated by the Swedish R&D company STFI-Packforsk AB. n the wake of climate change and increasing oil prices, the demand for sustainable, lightweight materials capable of replacing oil-based products has increased. At the same time, bioplastic production capacities are growing. Combining bioplastics and nanotechnology is an approach that meets the technical demands involved in replacing oil-based materials with sustainable, renewable ones. I step towards becoming a modernized industry. Main features Moin Title of project: Development of Sustainable Composite Materials Type of project: Large collaborative project within the EU 7th Framework Programme Duration: 4 years (2008-2012) Total budget: €9.5 million, of which 6.5 million are funded by the EU Coordinator: Mikael Ankerfors, STFI-Packforsk AB, Sweden Partners: 17 partners from 8 countries Objectives and structure The SustainComp project has three main objectives. First, combining eco-design, innovative materials solutions and process developments to develop new advanced demonstrators. Second, solving a number of generic problems in order to significantly widen the properties of sustainable biocomposites and open larger potential markets. And third, minimizing the environmental impact. As part of the third objective, the successful, cost-effective manufacturing of nanocellulose is also expected to hit other areas such as the food (rheology modifiers) and the paper/board & coating sectors. To achieve these objectives, the project will be implemented on three structural levels: the molecular/nano level (Component), the micro-structural level (Composite) and the macro level (Product). Hence, the whole development chain will be covered through five tightly connected technical work packages, from structural component development and composite processing to market analysis and ecodesign concepts. Opportunities SustainComp aims at introducing several new families of advanced nanostructured wood-based biocomposites intended for a number of commercial sectors, such as transportation and packaging. The production of these new materials can integrate large companies on the raw material and end-use sides (e.g. pulp mills and packaging manufacturers), and small- and medium-sized businesses on the composite processing side (e.g. compounders and composite manuacturers). This will generate opportunities for the existing wood-based industry to conquer new markets while creating openings for new companies, business models and areas. For the existing wood-based industry, it is also a Work package-based structure of the SustainComp project. Focus It is very exciting that the European Commission has decided to fund this type of project. The targeted products in SustainComp open new business areas for the European forestbased industry. MIKAEL ANKERFORS, COORDINATOR, SUSTAINCOMP “ Demonstrators Demonstrators and prototypes will be made for certain applications to illustrate the performance of the new materials developed under SustainComp. The targeted items are: 1) biocomposite foams [replacement of expanded polystyrene foams (e.g. PLA, starch-based, PHA, PHB)], 2) extruded and moulded biocomposites (e.g. for vehicle, furniture, mobile covers) 3) advanced aerogels and membranes [stimuli-responsive magnetic/electric aerogels (e.g. noise/vibration dampening )]. More information: www.sustaincomp.eu ” JEC Composites Magazine / No44 October 2008

http://www.sustaincomp.eu

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #44 - October 2008 - Special Asia

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