| Project Detail |
New bio-based composites for sustainable applications
Bio-based composites (BioC) are used across various applications. However, evolving environmental conditions necessitate improvements in BioC properties and functionalities. To tackle these challenges, the EU-funded BIOntier project will establish a platform for designing, developing, and manufacturing the next generation of cost-effective, sustainable, lightweight, and recyclable BioC materials. These materials are designed to feature enhanced thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties for applications in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, energy, and water treatment. Additionally, they will be resistant to corrosion, chemicals, fire, hardness, and impact, as well as capable of withstanding high temperatures, and will incorporate structural health monitoring. The project also aims to advance manufacturing processes, enhance synthesis and stability, and minimise environmental impact.
BIOntier offers innovative solutions to environmental challenges and establishes a holistic, integrated, and industrial-driven platform for the design, development, and scalable fabrication of the next generation of cost-effective, sustainable, lightweight, recyclable bio-based composites (BioC) with enhanced properties (e.g. thermal, mechanical, chemical), functionalities (e.g. corrosion, chemical and fire resistance, hardness and impact resistance, high temperature resistance, structural health monitoring). BIOntier will also advance manufacturing processes, enhancing synthesis and stability and reducing environmental impact. Such BioC and manufacturing capabilities will allow robust connections with end-users and thus develop and qualify the commercial propositions to high TRLs. BIOntier will develop, demonstrate, and validate the efficacy of BioC-enabled products (6 use cases) which will underlie future technologies for different sectors (e.g. automotive, aerospace, energy (hydrogen economy) and water treatment). BIOntier also supports the innovation output and industrialization efforts of the EU initiatives and strategies for circular bioeconomy, building a credible pathway for the newly accumulated knowledge to impact EU industry and society. BIOntier will support a strong EU value chain in translating technology advances from TRL4-5 into concrete innovation opportunities and production capabilities (TRL6-7), with first-mover market advantages of scale in the defined industrial sectors. The consortium consists of 25 partners from 12 countries, representing the full value chain, with leading OEMs, large industries, world-class research and education organisations, and innovative SMEs. BIOntier is designed to ensure maximum impact for the defined industries and society as a whole, significantly contributing to the evolving field of BioC. |
