JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #55 - February/March 2010 - 27

Outlook The outlook for flax and hemp fibres in composites The ecological properties of flax and hemp make these fibres natural contenders for applications in a variety of innovative industrial sectors, all of which are under pressure to take into account sustainable development in their mode of production. In this context, the composite materials sector offers genuine prospects for flax and hemp fibre development. o support and develop the technical uses of flax and hemp, and with the increasingly prevalent pooling of data, the European Flax and Hemp Confederation (CELC –Confédération Européenne du Lin et du Chanvre) has created a European Scientific Committee. CELC chose to announce this at its 60th Annual Congress, held from November 4-7 in Strasbourg. T opportunity to overcome the shortfall in internal resources. Overview On the occasion of the 60th Congress, the Scientific Committee presented for the first time to this industry’s professionals an overview of the current state of research into fibres. This generated a constructive vision of where flax and hemp are at today, and avenues for their development in the world of new materials. Their qualities and their weaknesses were studied and compared with other natural fibres (carbon and glass). The results have brought into clear focus their true potential. The characteristics of flax, which is rigid, very strong and of high environmental added value, promise it a bright future indeed. The publication of a book on natural fibres and composite materials aimed at the general public is also in the pipeline. At the Congress, the Scientific Committee also presented its lines of research, with the following points on the agenda: agriculture, the properties of fibres, extraction, fibre preparation, adhesion between fibres and between the fibres and the matrix, the recycling possibilities for composite materials reinforced with natural fibres, and life cycle analysis. Still with a view to promoting technical uses, in 2009 CELC signed a triennial agreement with the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, the world’s benchmark university in the study of composite and biocomposite materials reinforced with natural fibres. Thanks to this collaboration, CELC benefits from technical tools dedicated to research and testing, international current awareness about technological developments and a specialised partner in the person of Joris Baets, engineer and engineer with a PhD in composite materials, who now splits his research time between the University and CELC. European Scientific Committee Historically dedicated to business sectors using these fibres in textiles/clothing and household applications, CELC is also increasingly involved in promoting the European flax and hemp industry in other sectors representing new market opportunities, in particular the automotive industry, ecoconstruction, insulation, plastics processing and composite materials. The mechanical properties of flax and hemp have a lot to offer, and meet specific needs in a variety of sectors. Since 2005, a specific technical division has worked on organising a European skills network bringing together businesses, universities and research centres, while encouraging R&D through its involvement in various programmes and attending European events and international trade fairs in order to promote these natural fibres. The creation of the European Scientific Committee is one plank of CELC’s international strategy. With the operational support of eight experts from eight European universities, its objective is to develop expertise with regard to standards and benchmarking, training, the publication of reference works and the dissemination of information. The duties of the European Scientific Committee consist in drawing up an inventory of the existing scientific and technical resources, defining the possibilities of development and of new research in line with the industrial strategy, encouraging "open innovation" and providing the No55 February - March 2010 / jec composites magazine
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #55 - February/March 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #55 - February/March 2010
