CELLUN — Our multifunctional, sustainable, and robust fiber-reinforced composite material based on cellulose
The properties of the composites, consisting of cellulose reinforcement fibers and a matrix based on modified cellulose, are promising – conceivable also as a new material for the automotive industry as well as for applications in architecture, design and furniture or in the sports and leisure sector. Both is possible – sustainability and performance!
At several billion tons, cellulose is the most abundant biopolymer on earth and, with an annual production through biosynthesis of about 75 billion tons, represents an almost inexhaustible raw material.
So, it’s a question of both — sustainability and performance:
- protecting the environment: renunciation of fossil-based raw materials
- saving CO2: use of renewable raw materials through CO2 binding andenvironmentally friendly processes
- reducing costs: thanks to the cheap raw material cellulose but also by savingwater and eliminating the disposal of solvents
- and at the same time offering an unsurpassed strength-to-weight ratio as asustainable composite material
Technology Transfer
Wood as a raw material source
Why the focus on (hard) wood?
- 38% of the world’s land area is forested
- Wood does not compete with food
- Wood stores CO2
- Growing area with hardwood due to climate change
- Source of renewable bio-based polymers
- Development of innovative and high-quality processes and products made ofhardwood
Wood-based cellulose as a raw material for fibres
- Cheap and renewable resource from wood-based waste streams
- Regional available in large quantities
- Bio-based and biodegradable
- Well-known spinning process (dry-jet-wet spinning)
Wood-based cellulose as a raw material for fibres
- Cheap and renewable resource from wood-based waste streams
- Regional available in large quantities
- Bio-based and biodegradable
- Well-known spinning process (dry-jet-wet spinning)
Fibre composite reinforced plastic in comparison
Disadvantages of conventional fibre composite reinforced plastic:
- Raw materials (fibres and matrices) are largely based on petroleum
- Commodity prices correlate with crude oil prices
- Post-treatment of the fiber surface required for better adhesion between fiberand matrix → time-consuming + additional cost
- Expensive products
- End-of-life waste: usually no possibility of full recycling
Advantages of novel fibre-reinforced composite material CELLUN
- Environmentally friendly due to the biodegradability of the reinforcing fibre
- high recyclability of thermoplastic composites
- Possibility of re-/ downcycling
- Use of cellulosic materials
- Starting materials (reinforcing fiber & matrix)
- Renewable raw materials
- Low weight
- Excellent mechanical properties: specific stiffness and strength, high impactstrength
The joint project CELLUN, consisting of six project partners and one associated partner, started on 1st January 2022 and is funded by the BMWK’s Lightweight Construction Technology Transfer Program. The program runs for three years and will end by 31st December 2024.
The joint project CELLUN, consisting of six project partners and one associated partner, started on 1st January 2022 and is funded by the BMWK’s Lightweight Construction Technology Transfer Program. The program runs for three years and will end by 31st December 2024.
Associated partner:
Funded by:
