Chem Trend
Published

Biocomposite of the Year 2019 winners announced

Announced at Nova-Institute’s Biocomposites Conference in Cologne, Germany, the winning entries use natural fiber composites for automotive and consumer goods applications.

Share

 

biocomposite innovation awards

Source | Nova-Institute

 

Nova-Institute (Hürth, Germany) recently announced the winners of its2019 “Biocomposite of the Year” innovation awards, which were presented at the 8th Biocomposites Conference Cologne on Nov. 14-15 in Cologne, Germany. 

According to Nova-Institute, currently, up to 80% of plastics can be replaced by biogenic fillers such as wood flour and cork, or by natural fibers for reinforcement. By now, the company says, biocomposites are available for almost every application: packaging, consumer goods, toys, handles, shoes, façade and terrace elements, floors, car parts and even furniture.

This years’ nominated companies provided an overview of the growing application sectors for biocomposites, ranging from automotive applications to packaging, consumer goods, cladding, music instruments and façade elements.

 

 

biocomposite innovation awards

Source | Nova-Institute

 

 

The top three winners were Golden Compound (first place), KNN Cellulose (second place) and Bcomp (third place). See the full list of finalists here.

 

First place: compostable coffee capsules reinforced with sunflower seed shell fiber

Designed by Golden Compound GmbH (Ladbergen, Germany), HOMEcap is said to be the world's first and only home compostable coffee capsule certified with “OK Kompost HOME.” It was launched on the market at the beginning of 2019. The HOMEcap is made from a compound comprising PTTMCC Biochems bio-based polymers PBS and PBSA mixed with sunflower seed shells and inorganic fillers. It comes with a paper- and cellulose-based lid that is sealable to the capsule without additional glue and is home compostable. The material composition is said to result in low oxygen transmission rates, and eliminates the need for additional barrier packaging. A VDI 4605 sustainability assessment showed that this capsule outperforms current state of the art capsules, like deep-drawn PP EVOH multilayer capsules, in terms of sustainability.

 

Second place: cost-competitive Recell biocomposites

KNN Cellulose (Leeuwarden, Netherlands) has commercialized Recell’s biocomposite material made from recycled toilet paper that is separated at a sewage treatment plant, and can be mixed with a variety of polymers such as bio-based polymers, PLA or PHA. The product is said to add value to previously unused cellulose waste streams, and the granules are suitable for standard injection molding and extrusion lines. Current applications include flower pots, claddings, fences, terrace planks and boxes. Recell took part in the competition with a picnic table from Ecodeck comprising cellulose fibers recovered from wastewater treatment plants using Cellvation technology. The treatment plants benefit from lower operating costs, increased processing capacity and the reuse of cellulose fibers that would otherwise be incinerated. 

 

Third place: PowerRibs for sustainable lightweighting

Bcomp (Fribourg, Switzerland) has developed proprietary lightweighting solutions for high-performance applications by applying latest knowledge on composites to natural fibers. PowerRibs technology uses a reinforcing grid inspired by the thin veins in leaves, and that is said to provide maximum stiffness at minimum weight, enabling them to achieve the performance of carbon fibers in a motorsport body. The result is reportedly a 75% reduced CO2 footprint, 30% lower costs and improved safety without toxic dust and sharp shattering, as well as viable end-of-life options. PowerRibs are also said to reduce weight for car interior coverings by up to 40%.

 

 

 

cut by an Eastman
HEATCON Composite Systems
CW Tech Days Sustainability - Register Today!
CompositesWorld
CAMX 2024
CompositesWorld
Airtech
industrial CNC routers
KraussMaffei Metering Systems
Thermwood Corp.
Carbon Fiber 2024
Chem Trend

Related Content

Protecting EV motors more efficiently

Motors for electric vehicles are expected to benefit from Trelleborg’s thermoplastic composite rotor sleeve design, which advances materials and processes to produce a lightweight, energy-efficient component.

Read More
Automotive

Infinite Composites: Type V tanks for space, hydrogen, automotive and more

After a decade of proving its linerless, weight-saving composite tanks with NASA and more than 30 aerospace companies, this CryoSphere pioneer is scaling for growth in commercial space and sustainable transportation on Earth.

Read More
Consumer

Materials & Processes: Fabrication methods

There are numerous methods for fabricating composite components. Selection of a method for a particular part, therefore, will depend on the materials, the part design and end-use or application. Here's a guide to selection.

Read More

Price, performance, protection: EV battery enclosures, Part 1

Composite technologies are growing in use as suppliers continue efforts to meet more demanding requirements for EV battery enclosures.  

Read More

Read Next

Wind/Energy

Composites end markets: Energy (2024)

Composites are used widely in oil/gas, wind and other renewable energy applications. Despite market challenges, growth potential and innovation for composites continue.

Read More
Trends

CW’s 2024 Top Shops survey offers new approach to benchmarking

Respondents that complete the survey by April 30, 2024, have the chance to be recognized as an honoree.

Read More
Filament Winding

From the CW Archives: The tale of the thermoplastic cryotank

In 2006, guest columnist Bob Hartunian related the story of his efforts two decades prior, while at McDonnell Douglas, to develop a thermoplastic composite crytank for hydrogen storage. He learned a lot of lessons.

Read More
Airtech International Inc.