Biocomposites – Providing Benefits to Industry, Consumers and Environment

The Biocomposites Conference Cologne (BCC) will take place on 6 and 7 December 2017 in Cologne, Germany

This year’s conference and exhibition will be the largest industry meeting on biocomposites worldwide. More than 250 participants and 30 exhibitors are expected. www.biocompositescc.com

Deutsche Version: https://renewable-carbon.eu/news/bio-verbundwerkstoffe-bieten-vorteile-fuer-umwelt-industrie-und-verbraucher/

What are biocomposites?

Biocomposites is an umbrella term for composites made completely, or to a significant degree, from biomass: Natural and wood fibres are combined with petrochemical or bio-based polymers to achieve very good mechanical and often even light-weight properties. The most commonly used types of biocomposites are Wood-Plastic Composites (WPC) and Natural Fibre Composites (NFC).

 6th Biocomposites Conference Cologne, (WPC & NFC Conference 2015)- Exhibition in 2015
6th Biocomposites Conference Cologne, (WPC & NFC Conference 2015)- Exhibition in 2015

Existing markets and new opportunities

In the past, Wood-Plastic Composites (WPC) were mainly processed via extrusion technologies (decking) and Natural Fibre Composites (NFC) mainly in press moulding (automotive).
For many years, research institutes and industrial labs have continuously developed WPC and NFC applications, using the materials in small series of consumer goods. Relevant volumes were only deployed in the decking market, which is still the biggest sector in the biocomposites market.
However, quite recently biocomposites have started to enter several additional markets. With the latest advances in injection moulding and 3D printing, both WPC and NFC are of high interest for a multitude of applications and fruitful new synergies are being created for new products. More and more companies specifically use wood and natural fibre plastic granulates in consumer goods such as instruments, electronic casings, furniture, tables, toys, combs or trays as well as 3D printed goods – the unique look and haptics convey high quality and value and are well received by customers. There are many opportunities for these niche materials to achieve large-scale production soon.

Benefits of biocomposite materials

Consumer products made of WPC or NFC have a different look than pure plastic products; they become noticeable, have a nice touch and reduce the use of plastic due to the wood and natural fibres or are even available completely without any oil-based materials – which improves the environmental footprint. Many of the current materials offer also special properties producers are looking for, like acoustic performance, light-weight or antibacterial properties. But the most important part: the products appeal to consumers and gain public recognition.

photo by colorFabb, design by LeFabshop (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:257911)
photo by colorFabb, design by LeFabshop (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:257911)

Market growth

Signs for market growth can be found in various markets: In the furniture market, IKEA re-introduced the wood-plastic composites chair PS 2012 to its programme and offers additional new products with wood-plastic composites like picture frames. Consumer electronics offer good examples for useful products as well – a product group in which acoustic performance is an essential key to the success. In this area market leader LG has started to use the cellulose-based granulate Aqvacomp as a biocomposite material in manufacturing of loudspeakers.

Photo und design by colorFabb
Photo und design by colorFabb

The biocomposites industry meets in Cologne

The wide range of successful new technologies and applications of biocomposites in consumer goods, automotive industries and construction will be presented at the Biocomposites Conference Cologne, 6-7 December 2017 in Cologne, Germany. It represents the wide spectrum of innovative applications and material choices of WPC and NFC:

  • Biocomposites in the automotive industry
  • Injection moulding: granulates and applications
  • Biocomposites in 3D printing
  • Structural applications
  • Wood and natural fibres and other raw materials for biocomposites
  • Bio-based thermosets for biocomposites

The preliminary programme featuring 17 speakers is now online at www.biocompositescc.com/programme.

As in previous years, one session will be dedicated to the Innovation Award “Biocomposite of the Year 2017”. It will be granted at the Biocomposites Conference Cologne to the young, innovative bio-based materials industry for finding suitable applications and markets for biocomposite products. The focus of the award is on new developments within these areas, which have been launched in 2017 or will be launched in 2018. Producers and inventors of innovative, new applications for WPC and NFC are invited to hand in their applications until end of August: www.biocompositescc.com/award

Please find more information on the conference at: www.biocompositescc.com
Exhibition: www.biocompositescc.com/exhibitorinfo
Conference programme: www.biocompositescc.com/programme

Contact: Asta Partanen, asta.partanen@nova-institut.de

The nova-Institute would like to acknowledge Coperion GmbH (DE) for sponsoring the renowned Innovation Award “Biocomposite of the Year 2017”. “Der Grüne Punkt – Duales System Deutschland GmbH (DE)” is silver sponsor and FKuR GmbH (DE) as well as VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland LTD (FI) are bronze sponsors of the conference.

The exhibition accompanying the conference is up to a great start. Already 16 companies have booked a booth. Interested companies should book as soon as possible because of the limited exhibition area.

Download press release as PDF file: 17-07-20 PR Benefits of Biocomposites

Source

nova-Institut GmbH, press release, 2017-07-20.

Supplier

Coperion
Der Grüne Punkt – Duales System Deutschland GmbH
FKuR Kunststoff GmbH
IKEA
nova-Institut GmbH
Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT)

Share

Renewable Carbon News – Daily Newsletter

Subscribe to our daily email newsletter – the world's leading newsletter on renewable materials and chemicals

Subscribe