Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GREEN-LOOP (Sustainable manufacture systems towards novel bio-based materials)
Período documentado: 2022-09-01 hasta 2023-08-31
The GREEN-LOOP project arises as an important response to current difficulties as well as the growing political and strategic landscape in the field of sustainable materials and circular economy practises. The initiative is motivated by an understanding of the environmental and economic concerns connected with traditional materials and manufacturing processes. As a result, GREEN-LOOP is intended to address specific requirements and challenges while also making a significant contribution to the transition to more sustainable actions.
The initiative is taking place against a backdrop of increased concern about environmental sustainability, an urgent need to reduce resource use, and an increasing desire to develop and implement circular economy principles. The development and use of conventional materials, particularly in construction, packaging, and machinery manufacturing, has greatly contributed to resource depletion and environmental deterioration. Furthermore, conventional materials frequently fail to meet demanding sustainability and recyclability norms. As a result, the European Commission has actively sought new solutions to promote circularity, waste reduction, and resource efficiency.
The primary goals of GREEN-LOOP are twofold. To begin, the project intends to create and apply novel, bio-based materials to replace conventional ones, with a heavy emphasis on rubber, bio-plastics, and wood composites. Second, it aims to transform the entire value chain of these materials, from production and processing to integration into numerous uses, finally supporting sustainable circularity.
The initiative immediately addresses the issue of resource scarcity by introducing bio-based materials obtained from renewable sources. The use of these materials is consistent with the EU's sustainability goals, as it reduces reliance on fossil fuels and non-renewable resources.
The project responds to the demand for a circular economy by developing materials that can be recycled, refurbished, or reused, hence decreasing waste and environmental effect. This solution is especially important in businesses with low recyclability of older materials.
GREEN-LOOP is deeply committed to environmental protection. The initiative aims to reduce the negative environmental impact of material manufacturing, application, and disposal through eco-design and creative techniques.
By improving bio-based materials and circular practises, the project will help the European Union achieve its goal of retaining global competitiveness while spurring economic growth in emerging industries. It lays the path for the growth of a vibrant bio-based materials industry.
The initiative is taking place against a backdrop of increased concern about environmental sustainability, an urgent need to reduce resource use, and an increasing desire to develop and implement circular economy principles. The development and use of conventional materials, particularly in construction, packaging, and machinery manufacturing, has greatly contributed to resource depletion and environmental deterioration. Furthermore, conventional materials frequently fail to meet demanding sustainability and recyclability norms. As a result, the European Commission has actively sought new solutions to promote circularity, waste reduction, and resource efficiency.
The primary goals of GREEN-LOOP are twofold. To begin, the project intends to create and apply novel, bio-based materials to replace conventional ones, with a heavy emphasis on rubber, bio-plastics, and wood composites. Second, it aims to transform the entire value chain of these materials, from production and processing to integration into numerous uses, finally supporting sustainable circularity.
The initiative immediately addresses the issue of resource scarcity by introducing bio-based materials obtained from renewable sources. The use of these materials is consistent with the EU's sustainability goals, as it reduces reliance on fossil fuels and non-renewable resources.
The project responds to the demand for a circular economy by developing materials that can be recycled, refurbished, or reused, hence decreasing waste and environmental effect. This solution is especially important in businesses with low recyclability of older materials.
GREEN-LOOP is deeply committed to environmental protection. The initiative aims to reduce the negative environmental impact of material manufacturing, application, and disposal through eco-design and creative techniques.
By improving bio-based materials and circular practises, the project will help the European Union achieve its goal of retaining global competitiveness while spurring economic growth in emerging industries. It lays the path for the growth of a vibrant bio-based materials industry.
The GREEN-LOOP project successfully carried out a range of activities targeted at revolutionising material manufacturing and application, with a strong emphasis on rubber, plastics, and wood composites. These activities lay the groundwork for a number of notable technical and scientific achievements.
i)Bio-Based Material Development: The project began the development of bio-based materials by incorporating renewable resources such as cork, bio-based polymers such as lignin, and other additives. To optimise the sliding performance of wood composites (WC), key additives such as graphite were carefully chosen. These advancements were influenced by scientific discoveries on material properties and qualities.
ii)Microwave Enhancement: Extensive research was conducted to investigate the use of microwave technology in the extrusion process and injection moulding. The electromagnetic interaction with additives was thoroughly investigated, with a focus on dielectric characteristics. The size and features of the applicator, cavity, and microwave sources were determined using numerical simulations. The goal was to ensure the efficient and precise implementation of microwave technology, which has the potential to significantly improve production processes.
iii) Ultrasound-Assisted Processing: The project used ultrasound technology to improve a number of areas of the material development process. Ultrasounds were utilised to remove lignin and devulcanize rubber, which helped to optimise the materials' characteristics.
GREEN-LOOP has effectively progressed the development of bio-based materials that are ready to replace traditional counterparts. These materials are made from renewable resources and have qualities that promote circularity, recyclability, and environmental responsibility. Key accomplishments include the development of bio-based materials with optimised properties that can be used in a number of applications such as construction, packaging, and mechanical components.
i) Application of Microwave Technology: The project's in-depth study of microwave utilisation in extrusion processes represents a key milestone. It has the potential to revolutionise material processing by providing more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions. The project's capacity to optimise temperature profiles via electromagnetic interactions represents a scientific breakthrough, allowing for precise control and homogeneity in material processing.
ii) Ultrasound Integration: By incorporating ultrasounds, the project made substantial advances in material processing. During the extrusion process, ultrasound technology improved lignin extraction, rubber devulcanization, and thermal profile optimisation.
iii) Improved Manufacturing Processes: Through the use of microwave technology and the optimisation of machinery components, GREEN-LOOP's retrofit initiatives have improved extrusion processes, particularly for wood composites. These accomplishments establish the groundwork for more resource-efficient, ecologically friendly, and circular manufacturing processes in industries such as building and machinery manufacturing.
i)Bio-Based Material Development: The project began the development of bio-based materials by incorporating renewable resources such as cork, bio-based polymers such as lignin, and other additives. To optimise the sliding performance of wood composites (WC), key additives such as graphite were carefully chosen. These advancements were influenced by scientific discoveries on material properties and qualities.
ii)Microwave Enhancement: Extensive research was conducted to investigate the use of microwave technology in the extrusion process and injection moulding. The electromagnetic interaction with additives was thoroughly investigated, with a focus on dielectric characteristics. The size and features of the applicator, cavity, and microwave sources were determined using numerical simulations. The goal was to ensure the efficient and precise implementation of microwave technology, which has the potential to significantly improve production processes.
iii) Ultrasound-Assisted Processing: The project used ultrasound technology to improve a number of areas of the material development process. Ultrasounds were utilised to remove lignin and devulcanize rubber, which helped to optimise the materials' characteristics.
GREEN-LOOP has effectively progressed the development of bio-based materials that are ready to replace traditional counterparts. These materials are made from renewable resources and have qualities that promote circularity, recyclability, and environmental responsibility. Key accomplishments include the development of bio-based materials with optimised properties that can be used in a number of applications such as construction, packaging, and mechanical components.
i) Application of Microwave Technology: The project's in-depth study of microwave utilisation in extrusion processes represents a key milestone. It has the potential to revolutionise material processing by providing more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions. The project's capacity to optimise temperature profiles via electromagnetic interactions represents a scientific breakthrough, allowing for precise control and homogeneity in material processing.
ii) Ultrasound Integration: By incorporating ultrasounds, the project made substantial advances in material processing. During the extrusion process, ultrasound technology improved lignin extraction, rubber devulcanization, and thermal profile optimisation.
iii) Improved Manufacturing Processes: Through the use of microwave technology and the optimisation of machinery components, GREEN-LOOP's retrofit initiatives have improved extrusion processes, particularly for wood composites. These accomplishments establish the groundwork for more resource-efficient, ecologically friendly, and circular manufacturing processes in industries such as building and machinery manufacturing.
The GREEN-LOOP project has produced promising results with far-reaching consequences in numerous areas, ranging from environmental sustainability to economic growth and technological innovation. The operations of the project, particularly the combination of ultrasound and microwave technologies, have the potential to alter businesses and meet critical societal needs.
The project's emphasis on bio-based materials, as well as the use of ultrasounds and microwaves, has the potential to dramatically enhance resource efficiency in a variety of industrial sectors.
The inclusion of circularity concepts is a primary outcome of GREEN-LOOP. The project helps the growth of the circular economy by developing materials that may be recycled, repaired, and reused. The application of ultrasounds in material processing improves these circular features by allowing for efficient extraction and recycling.
Ultrasound and microwave technology are used to optimise material production processes, minimising energy usage and waste. As a result, businesses such as building, tool production, and appliances have a lesser environmental imprint.
The project's new bio-based materials, along with optimised material processing processes, have the potential to boost the competitiveness of European industry. These materials provide environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional ones, potentially cutting production costs.
The project's emphasis on bio-based materials, as well as the use of ultrasounds and microwaves, has the potential to dramatically enhance resource efficiency in a variety of industrial sectors.
The inclusion of circularity concepts is a primary outcome of GREEN-LOOP. The project helps the growth of the circular economy by developing materials that may be recycled, repaired, and reused. The application of ultrasounds in material processing improves these circular features by allowing for efficient extraction and recycling.
Ultrasound and microwave technology are used to optimise material production processes, minimising energy usage and waste. As a result, businesses such as building, tool production, and appliances have a lesser environmental imprint.
The project's new bio-based materials, along with optimised material processing processes, have the potential to boost the competitiveness of European industry. These materials provide environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional ones, potentially cutting production costs.