Periodic Reporting for period 1 - THERMOFIRE (Bio-based fire-retardant thermoplastic composites reinforced with natural fibres.)
Reporting period: 2023-06-01 to 2024-11-30
One of the specific impacts of CBE JU programme is to replace at least 30% of fossil-based raw materials with bio-based and biodegradable ones by 2030, potential scope for bioplastics manufacturing processes is foreseen in the coming decade. The urgent need of increasing sustainability has also affected flame retardants. During the last decades, the number of studies based on developing bio-based flame retardants has increased considerably together with their incorporation in formulations based on bio-based polymers. However, the use of bio-based flame retardants with bio-based polymers has not been properly covered. The THERMOFIRE project aims to be a pioneer in this field, consequently, the flame retardancy of the 100% bio-based composites will be deeply developed and investigated.
Fire retardancy is a key property of materials used for applications in the automotive, aerospace and textile sectors due to the need to minimize fire risk and meet safety requirements. In the THERMOFIRE project up to 100% bio-based polymers will be reinforced with different natural fibers (e.g. regenerated cellulose from wood and commercial flax) and bio-based flame retardants aiming at giving excellent flame retardancy to the final bio-based thermoplastic (TP) composites. The innovation of THERMOFIRE relies on the development of high-performance composites with a 20% reduction in weight and 15% in cost while maintaining the required levels of safety suitable for applications under stringent operating conditions. THERMOFIRE project represents a genuine opportunity to remove Europe’s dependence on imports of fossil-based polymers for stringent operating conditions in the aerospace, automotive and textile sectors.
Fire retardancy is a key property of materials used for applications in the automotive, aerospace and textile sectors due to the need to minimize fire risk and meet safety requirements. In the THERMOFIRE project up to 100% bio-based polymers will be reinforced with different natural fibers (e.g. regenerated cellulose from wood and commercial flax) and bio-based flame retardants aiming at giving excellent flame retardancy to the final bio-based thermoplastic (TP) composites. The innovation of THERMOFIRE relies on the development of high-performance composites with a 20% reduction in weight and 15% in cost while maintaining the required levels of safety suitable for applications under stringent operating conditions. THERMOFIRE project represents a genuine opportunity to remove Europe’s dependence on imports of fossil-based polymers for stringent operating conditions in the aerospace, automotive and textile sectors.
Most importants outcomes up to the date, in relation to the aims have been:
1. Preparation of synergistic formulas of biobased FR, maximizing its performance in composites.
2. New advances in the preparation of FST biobased PA11.
3. Testing the compatibility between additives and polymer.
4. Achieve specimens using industrial techniques (i.e. melt compounding), proving its viability.
5. Definition of requirements of three use cases.
6. First prototypes at lab sclae and its validation against fire test.
1. Preparation of synergistic formulas of biobased FR, maximizing its performance in composites.
2. New advances in the preparation of FST biobased PA11.
3. Testing the compatibility between additives and polymer.
4. Achieve specimens using industrial techniques (i.e. melt compounding), proving its viability.
5. Definition of requirements of three use cases.
6. First prototypes at lab sclae and its validation against fire test.
Some of the results obtained during this first reporting period are beyond the state of the art and working at lab scale.
For example:
- the preparation of the components to obtain the FST-PA11 at lab scale. In next period, the route has to be verified and validated. The technology has to be protected (the partners are working for patent protection) and the access to market, explotaition has to be done. Inside the consortium it can be a supplier of the raw materials after its validation.
- 100% biobased synergistic combination of additives which confere flame retardant properties to the polymer and the fibers. Needs to be demostrated at real enviroment and protected.
- Compatibilization startegies to improve the contact between the fibers and the polymer; which improves the performance. Needs to be demostrated and protected.
- Flame retardancy of the composites will be validated and tested in real enviroments. The technologies have to be protected and commercialized.
- Technologhy for making impregnation of FST-PA11 with biobased FR to obtain materials which fulfil FAR25. Needs to be demostrated and protected.
For example:
- the preparation of the components to obtain the FST-PA11 at lab scale. In next period, the route has to be verified and validated. The technology has to be protected (the partners are working for patent protection) and the access to market, explotaition has to be done. Inside the consortium it can be a supplier of the raw materials after its validation.
- 100% biobased synergistic combination of additives which confere flame retardant properties to the polymer and the fibers. Needs to be demostrated at real enviroment and protected.
- Compatibilization startegies to improve the contact between the fibers and the polymer; which improves the performance. Needs to be demostrated and protected.
- Flame retardancy of the composites will be validated and tested in real enviroments. The technologies have to be protected and commercialized.
- Technologhy for making impregnation of FST-PA11 with biobased FR to obtain materials which fulfil FAR25. Needs to be demostrated and protected.