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MULTIFUNCTIONAL BIOPHENOLS FOR SAFE AND RECYCLABLE MATERIALS

Project description

Biophenols from industrial biomass for flame-retardant materials

The processes used to enhance the formulation and functionality of wood, thermosets, and thermoplastic materials often generate harmful chemicals. To address this issue, the EU-funded BioPhenom project will focus on extracting biophenols from industrial biomass side streams and converting them into intumescent flame-retardants (bio-IFRs). These bio-IFRs will be used to improve the fire resistance and durability of wood, produce bio-carbon fibres and bio-epoxy resins, and enhance the fire resistance of thermoplastic polylactic acid (PLA)-biochar composites. The project will validate the functionality and circularity of these developed materials, guided by Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) principles. Ultimately, it aims to replace harmful substances in material formulations and foster the market acceptance of safe, bio-based solutions.

Objective

The BioPhenom project will scope and select industrial biomass sidestreams for isolation of biophenols by proven technologies, functionalize the isolated biophenols into intumescent flame retardants (bio-IFRs), and exploit the bio-IFRs as multifunctional components for replacement of harmful chemicals commonly used in formulation and functionality improvement of wood, thermosets, and thermoplastic materials. Impregnation of wood with bio-IFRs will enhance fire resistance and durability for outdoor applications, while a bio-based topcoat will prevent leaching of impregnants and extend service life. The bio-IFRs will be used to produce bio-carbon fibres and bio-epoxy resins formulated with a novel dynamic hardener that allows resin disintegration, thus producing fire resistant and recyclable thermoset biocomposites. The bio-IFRs will also be added to thermoplastic polylactic acid (PLA)-biochar composites to enhance fire resistance. The most promising applications of the materials developed will be scoped within relevant industrial sectors (e.g. building, transportation, automotive), and their functionality and circularity validated against existing benchmarks. Circularity will be demonstrated by recycling the treated wood into particleboards, recovering the thermoset components for reuse, and reformulating the PLA-based thermoplastics into new biocomposites. Process and material developments in BioPhenom will be guided by Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) principles that will be updated with recommendations on identification of data gaps and priorities for data collection. The project data, methodologies, and results will be made FAIR. Ultimately, the outcomes of BioPhenom will enable replacement of harmful substances in material formulations and circularity of end-products, and will increase the portfolio of safe, recyclable, and sustainable bio-based solutions with potential for market uptake, benefiting industry, consumers, and society in Europe.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL6-2023-ZEROPOLLUTION-02

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Coordinator

TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 949 431,50
Address
TEKNIIKANTIE 21
02150 Espoo
Finland

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Region
Manner-Suomi Helsinki-Uusimaa Helsinki-Uusimaa
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 949 431,50

Participants (9)

Partners (2)

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