NATURECOMP: Bio-based composites for lightweight construction of vehicles

There is strong demand for fire-resistant materials in public transport. A flame-retardant material made of bio-based resins and flax fibres has been developed by researchers at BFH. The results are extremely promising.

Factsheet

  • Lead school School of Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering
  • Institute Institute for Materials and Wood Technology
  • Research unit Wood Chemistry
  • Funding organisation Innosuisse
  • Duration (planned) 01.07.2019 - 01.09.2023
  • Project management Ingo Mayer
  • Head of project Ingo Mayer
  • Project staff Flurin Efinger
    Sauro Bianchi
    Ingo Mayer
  • Partner Hochschule Rapperswil
    Gremolith AG
    Zeochem AG
    Bcomp Ltd.
    Faserplast Composites AG
    Swiss CMT AG

Situation

There is strong demand for fire-resistant materials in public transport. A flame-retardant material made of bio-based resins and flax fibres has been developed by researchers at BFH.

Result

The results are extremely promising: the novel composite material has low flammability properties and is no less rigid than equivalent petroleum-based products. The CO₂ footprint is also reduced, as the raw materials come from biomass produced in agriculture and forestry.

This project contributes to the following SDGs

  • 8: Decent work and economic growth
  • 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
  • 12: Responsible consumption and production