Bio-based materials

MACOBIO is part of the project cluster FEDER 2014-2020 - Low Carbon Footprint Materials - addressing the validation of natural resources for the production of novel biobased materials. MACOBIO is aimed at the design of 100% biobased composite materials, including innovative thermoplastic and thermoset biobased matrixes, reinforced with natural fibres.

Expanding the possibilities of 3D printing by developing new bioased 3D printing materials

BIO4SELF aims at fully biobased self-reinforced polymer composites (SRPC). To produce the SRPCs two polylactic acid (PLA) grades are required: a low melting temperature (Tm) one to form the matrix and an ultra high stiffness and high Tm one to form the reinforcing fibres. To reach unprecedented stiffness in the reinforcing PLA fibres, we will combine PLA with bio-LCP (liquid crystalline polymer) for nanofibril formation. Further, we will increase the temperature resistance of PLA and improve its durability. This way, BIO4SELF will exploit recent progress in PLA fibre technology. We will add

Today, PLA is made from corncobs, sugarcane and sugar beets, but, in the future, it will be produced from agricultural wastes. Using PLA is beneficial because it is a renewable resource that does not (or to a lesser degree) deplete the oil resources. This certainly reduces the carbon–footprint of the end product.

The development of new antimicrobial treatments is an area of continuing research. This entry takes a bird’s eye view on advances and focuses, in particular, on trends toward solvent-free chemistry by plasma-assisted coating deposition methods. General principles of antimicrobial and antifouling

Ghent
Researcher Melt Processing Technologies
Ghent
Researcher Coating & Finishing Technologies