Objective The main technical objective is to develop a 100% biodegradable plastic fibre to be used in two specific applications: a)Twines used for staking and propping crops in greenhouses, that combine the biodegradability and low disposal cost of the natural fibre twines with the excellent tensile strength/density ratio, design possibilities, flexible and cheap processing technique of synthetic twines b)Nets for packaging low-weight (up to 5Kg) agricultural, marine and non food products, with the same mechanical properties than those made of synthetic fibres, but without their disposal problems The new biodegradable twine and net will have the required physical and mechanical properties for optimum production and use but will undergo complete biodegradation in composting and on farm conditions. In the case of packaging nets, food contact materials regulations will be also taken into account for the material and additives selection. Furthermore, the biodegradable material used to manufacture the aimed products will be adapted to the very special manufacturing process necessary to produce them; Extrusion-Stretch-Fibrillation-Twist-Winder process for twines and Extrusion Melt Spinning process to produce yard for packaging nets. Both processes have in common the need of a high strength plastic material with high modulus and low strain. Nowadays, biodegradable materials have important limitations related to these properties. As the state of the art shows, no biodegradable material has been developed for fibre manufacture, fulfilling the above mentioned requirements. To face this challenge, PICUS will use the following approach: To develop a new biodegradable fibre (for twines and nets) as a synergic combination of two market available biodegradable polymers obtained by reactive extrusion (fuctionalisation). Apart from fuctionalisation, the R and D work will be also focused on compounding in order to improve the processability of the developed material and the fibre properties. Fields of science engineering and technologymechanical engineeringmanufacturing engineeringengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwaste managementwaste treatment processesrecyclingengineering and technologymaterials engineeringfibersengineering and technologyenvironmental biotechnologybioremediationcompostagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculture Programme(s) FP6-SME - Horizontal research activities involving SMEs: Specific activities covering wider field of research under the Focusing and Integrating Community Research programme 2002-2006. Topic(s) SME-1 - Co-operative Research (all areas of science and technology) Call for proposal FP6-2003-SME-1 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme Data not available Coordinator ASOCIACION DE INVESTIGACION DE MATERIALES PLASTICOS Y CONEXAS Address Valencia parc tecnologic, c/gustave eiffel 4 Paterna valencia Spain See on map Links Website Opens in new window EU contribution € 0,00 Participants (11) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all ABONOS ORGANICOS NACIONALES S.A Spain EU contribution € 0,00 Address Boyero, 12 Alicante See on map AGRICOLA ALICANTINA S.A Spain EU contribution € 0,00 Address Poligono 3 n.123 Torrellano-elche-alicante See on map AUSERPOLIMERI SRL Italy EU contribution € 0,00 Address Via vallisneri, 12 Castelnuovo di garfagnana (lu) See on map Links Website Opens in new window CANTELO NURSERIES LIMITED United Kingdom EU contribution € 0,00 Address Bradom farm, isle abbotts Taunton somerset See on map EXTRICOM GMBH BLACH EXTRUDER AND COMPONENTS Germany EU contribution € 0,00 Address Hoher steg, 10 Lauffen a.n See on map Links Website Opens in new window FOURNÉ POLYMERTECHNIK GMBH Germany EU contribution € 0,00 Address Zur degensmühle, 1 Alfter See on map Links Website Opens in new window HILATURAS MACIA S.L Spain EU contribution € 0,00 Address Carretera murcia - alicante km 44,4 Crevillente alicante See on map Links Website Opens in new window PERA INNOVATION LIMITED United Kingdom EU contribution € 0,00 Address Pera innovation park, nottingham road Melton mowbray, leicestershire See on map Links Website Opens in new window PVAXX RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT LTD United Kingdom EU contribution € 0,00 Address Unit 4, dovecot workshops, barnsley park estate Nr cirencester, gloucestershire See on map Links Website Opens in new window TERRLOIRE France EU contribution € 0,00 Address 49, rue de la sauge Checy See on map Links Website Opens in new window UNIVERSITY OF PISA Italy EU contribution € 0,00 Address Via risorgimiento, 35 Pisa See on map Links Website Opens in new window
