Bio4Self, a European project to develop self-reinforced composites based on polylactic acid (PLA) fibres, has won the Global Bioplastics Award, presented during the 14th European Bioplastics Conference in Berlin 3 Dec.
Spearheaded by a consortium led by Belgium’s Centexbel, and including, among others, Fraunhofer ICT and the Institute of Textile Technology of the RWTH Aachen, the project has produced easily recyclable self-reinforced composite (SRPC) materials that are designed for high mechanical strength and rigidity as well as high temperature and hydrolytic stability.
The new materials demonstrate the potential of PLA for use in more technical and demanding final applications, including automotive and household electronics.
Funded by the European Research Fund Horizon 2020, the project won the JEC Innovation Award for sustainability earlier this year for its application in a car seat structure.
For the development of the material, the partners used a low melting temperature PLA grade was to form the matrix, and an ultra-high stiffness and high melting temperature PLA grade to form the reinforcing fibres.
The process developed by the consortium successfully overcomes a number challenges associated with PLA-based SRPC, including the formulation of a moisture/humidity-resistant PLA grade; melt extrusion of ultra-high stiffness PLA reinforcement fibres; development of manufacturing procedures for high performance SRPC material; and the industrial scale-up of production.
The judges were equally impressed by the concept.
"It shows, that the intelligent combination of different forms of the same versatile bioplastic material PLA can lead to sophisticated solutions that enable the use for much more than just packaging applications," said Michael Thielen, publisher of bioplastics Magazine, the organiser of the awards event
The second prize went to Nölle Kunststofftechnik and Fraunhofer IAP both from Germany, for their new splint for bone fractures, made from PLA, which can be repeatedly reshaped during treatment.
Carbiolice of France scooped the third prize for their Evanesto Enzymatic masterbatch which accelerates the natural biodegradation process of PLA.
PLA self-reinforced composite project wins bioplastics award
Michael Thielen and Guy Buyle (Cetexbel, representing Bio4self)