SeaBioComp

Growing markets for fish & seaweed farming, energy harvesting, boats, pontoons, anchoring and buoy elements, etc. are pushing the demand for composites for marine applications to substitute petrol-based composites. On the other hand, there is a growing concern about the long-term ecological impact of plastic litter and microplastics.

Therefore, it is necessary to develop renewable materials to reduce the depletion of fossil based materials and to limit the emission of greenhouse gases and ecotoxic impact of microplastics. At the same time, the materials should meet the highest technical performance standards and withstand harsh sea conditions, including mechanical forces, aggressive environment, and intense UV light.

SeaBioComp will deliver demonstrators of innovative biobased thermoplastic composites

• with at least equivalent mechanical properties
• with a tailored durability according to the application (2 to >20 years)
• with reduced CO₂ emission (30%) and ecotoxic impact (due to microplastics).
• while demonstrating the recycling potential of recovered materials. 

The overall ecologic impact should be reduced by 50% compared to conventional oil-based counterparts.

This should lead to a shift in mind-set along the value chain realizing that biobased composites may offer a realistic alternative to their oil-based counterparts.

• a set of min. 4 semi-industrial pilots of thermoplastic biocomposites with tailored durability, representing the different composite production techniques
• realisation of a pilot production machine for large scale additive manufacturing of fibre-reinforced thermoplastic biocomposites
• optimised analytical protocols to characterise and prove the tailored durability and measure the ecotoxicity effects of biocomposites in a marine environment
• proven reduction of ecological impact by at least 50%
• formation of a collaborative transregional cluster promoting a closer, more effective and operational cooperation among the key stakeholders within the bio-econonomy (Key Enabling Technology) and more specific the biocomposites for marine environment