Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FibriTech (Technology for 3D fibrous eco materials)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2022-09-01 al 2023-08-31
In the era of escalating climate changes, there is an ever-growing demand for finding technological solutions that can slow down environmental catastrophe. For FibriTech, sustainability journey began by identifying one of the most pressing challenge - the need to shift away from fossil fuel-based materials at mass industrial scale.
Our primary objective is to revolutionize the material industry by introducing our groundbreaking 3D fibres network technology. Our innovative approach combines a forming process to create robust 3D fibre network structures with unique properties, distinguishing them from other lightweight fibre materials, without the need for binders.
FibriTech uses sustainable and environmentally friendly materials - natural organic fibres (cellulose and lignocellulose). They are biodegradable and can be recycled after use, making it easy to use them again in the production of new materials. Societal, market and user certainly, there is growing pressure to move to sustainable solutions principally to climate change. FibriTech innovation addresses this and facilitates the shift from non-renewable to 100% renewable materials in a broad range of applications. There is also an abundance of suitable feedstock available which is currently sent to landfills or composted, this innovation addresses these issues also and can utilize lower quality bio-based feedstock that is currently disposed of. Other eco-material technologies resort to taking natural raw material as input, but process it chemically similarly to fossils to create bio-plastics. This can lead to new environmental problems, as bio-plastics decompose only in certain environments and otherwise might increase microplastics pollution. We are pioneers in building a completely new industrial process. FibriTech clean process is scalable and enables extensive customization of material properties.
Targeting two markets first, such as agricultural substrates (called FibriAgri) and packaging inserts (called FibriPack), will provides us with the initial momentum, showcasing capabilities and potential of our technology.
Our primary objective is to revolutionize the material industry by introducing our groundbreaking 3D fibres network technology. Our innovative approach combines a forming process to create robust 3D fibre network structures with unique properties, distinguishing them from other lightweight fibre materials, without the need for binders.
FibriTech uses sustainable and environmentally friendly materials - natural organic fibres (cellulose and lignocellulose). They are biodegradable and can be recycled after use, making it easy to use them again in the production of new materials. Societal, market and user certainly, there is growing pressure to move to sustainable solutions principally to climate change. FibriTech innovation addresses this and facilitates the shift from non-renewable to 100% renewable materials in a broad range of applications. There is also an abundance of suitable feedstock available which is currently sent to landfills or composted, this innovation addresses these issues also and can utilize lower quality bio-based feedstock that is currently disposed of. Other eco-material technologies resort to taking natural raw material as input, but process it chemically similarly to fossils to create bio-plastics. This can lead to new environmental problems, as bio-plastics decompose only in certain environments and otherwise might increase microplastics pollution. We are pioneers in building a completely new industrial process. FibriTech clean process is scalable and enables extensive customization of material properties.
Targeting two markets first, such as agricultural substrates (called FibriAgri) and packaging inserts (called FibriPack), will provides us with the initial momentum, showcasing capabilities and potential of our technology.
Our eco fibrous-materials not only promise a sustainable alternative but also address the growing environmental concerns related to the extensive use of fossil-based materials. The drastic shift from conventional to eco-friendly materials is not just about a change in ingredients; it's about reshaping the very foundation of manufacturing. This is a breakthrough in material design which requires also to build a new production process. We have confirmed the key machines for our process.
One of the application of FibriTech’s technology is cultivation substrate (FibriAgri). During the first year of the Project we have managed to invent the material recipe dedicated to microgreens and seedling cultivation. Stability of substrates has been obtained with preservation of biodegradability and composability features. Effectiveness of this recipe has been proven in several growth experiments. For microgreens we have developed square pads, and for seedlings we have developed cylindrical plugs.
The first considered use in packaging (FibriPack) is to protect furniture package during transport. A topic related to the needs of eliminating polystyrene. Styrofoam boards are currently used as spacers and protection in packages with furniture. We have collected data on the method of packaging used by furniture enterprise. We also participated in the testing of ready-made packages. Getting to know the packaging process on the production line and the method of storage and transport allowed us to analyse the requirements.
The considered aspects included mechanical strength parameters , impact resistance, energy absorption , environmental requirements , costs of using packaging material, requirements for waste classification.
One of the application of FibriTech’s technology is cultivation substrate (FibriAgri). During the first year of the Project we have managed to invent the material recipe dedicated to microgreens and seedling cultivation. Stability of substrates has been obtained with preservation of biodegradability and composability features. Effectiveness of this recipe has been proven in several growth experiments. For microgreens we have developed square pads, and for seedlings we have developed cylindrical plugs.
The first considered use in packaging (FibriPack) is to protect furniture package during transport. A topic related to the needs of eliminating polystyrene. Styrofoam boards are currently used as spacers and protection in packages with furniture. We have collected data on the method of packaging used by furniture enterprise. We also participated in the testing of ready-made packages. Getting to know the packaging process on the production line and the method of storage and transport allowed us to analyse the requirements.
The considered aspects included mechanical strength parameters , impact resistance, energy absorption , environmental requirements , costs of using packaging material, requirements for waste classification.
Our production technology allows further for broad functionalization of material properties by non-fibrous bio-additives like bio-polymers, oils, minerals in a form on nano/micro particles. The functionalization of our materials allows to program the material parameters for many applications. To ensure the growth of our company, we are intensively exploring new fibres and additives to refine our product range. We regularly demonstrate our products' efficiency to stakeholders and customers while forging vital partnerships to access broader markets and garner financial backing.
We are gradually implementing further commercialization plans. FibriTech materials have potential for mechanical strength which allows also to provide fossil-free offer for the construction industry.
We are gradually implementing further commercialization plans. FibriTech materials have potential for mechanical strength which allows also to provide fossil-free offer for the construction industry.