The progress beyond the state of the art (SoA) in FibreNet is related to forming a common toolbox for different application areas of bio-based fibres. The toolbox includes methods for functionalizing and modifying fibres and fibre properties, fibre characterization, modelling, production and life cycle assessment. The goal has been to better link the fibre properties at atomistic and microscale to the product properties at macroscale. This link enables the tuning and optimizing the characteristics of the end-products. In each of the 15 individual research projects, there have been several methodological advancements and scientific findings each contributing to the described progress beyond the SoA.
The project has positive impact on the students’ career prospects. This is due to the holistic approach adopted in the training: Besides the individual research topics that went deep in rather narrow fields, the students were given a truly multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral perspective to the field of bio-based fibres. The above combined with excellent networking abilities and carefully planned transferable skills training has produced bio-fibre professionals holding multiple perspectives and strong identities as independent and innovative researchers ready for both public and private sectors.
The project has created new contents to the courses and new supervision practices at universities generating a long-term impact not only in doctoral education but also in bachelor and master education.
The project has also significant economic and societal impacts, e.g.:
• Improved competitiveness of the European bio-based industry: New fibre products create new business. New functionalities in existing products help to retain competitiveness and to sustain the bio-based fibre industries in Europe.
• Greener society: Understanding and being able to modulate the link between the fibre properties and the properties of the end product enables reducing the amount of raw material in the product, applying more sustainable chemistry and smaller dosages of chemicals, using recycled material without impairing the product properties, replacing fossil-based materials with bio-based fibre materials and meeting the continuously tightening environmental/chemical regulations. This also translates to competitive advantage on global markets.
• Improvement of well-being: FibreNet contributed to creating new bio-fibre based biomedical products that enable new and better treatments. New wound healing methods and cell-based treatments can, e.g. increase life expectancy, improve patients’ capacity to work and promote active and healthy aging.
