JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #63 - March 2011 - 32

market
and development. We should point out that, in the area of natural fibres, there are currently important projects on natural fibre modification with enzymes (biotechnology) and ultrasound or plasma treatment to achieve a better compatibility with (bio-) plastics.

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Bio-composites Compression moulding - with natural fibres like flax, hemp, jute, kenaf, sisal, abaca, coir (> 95% automotive, 5% cases and others)1 - with cotton fibre (automotive, mainly trucks) - with wood fibre (mainly automotive)1 Extrusion and injection moulding - Wood plastic composites (WPC) (construction, furniture1, automotive1, consumer goods1) - with natural fibres like flax, hemp, jute, kenaf, sisal, cork (construction, furniture1, automotive1, consumer goods1) Bio-composites in total The automotive industry is one of the first application sectors to delve thoroughly into the issue

Estimated quantities in the EU 2010 40,000 t

Estimated quantities in the EU 20203 120,000 t

100,000 t 50,000 t 120,000 t

100,000 t 150,000 t 120,000 t

ELV Directive: an opportunity to increase the use of biobased products
The ELV (end-of-life vehicles) EU Directive seems to offer an excellent opportunity to fulfil the bio-based product targets. The Directive states that no later than 1st January 2015, for all end-of-life vehicles, the reutilization and recovery target will be increased to a minimum of 95% of the average weight per vehicle and year. Within the same time limit, reutilization and recycling will be increased to a minimum of 85% of average weight per vehicle and year. Something which could easily be implemented and, furthermore, would have a high impact on the use of biobased plastics and composites, would be if the bio-based share of the products could count as “re-used and recycled”, independent of their intended route: in other words, even if they go for energy recovery. A justification for this change in classification could be that bio-based materials will only emit green carbon during incineration. n
More information: www.eiha.org

5,000 t

5,000 t

315,000 t 2.4 Mio t ca. 13%

830,000 t 3.0 Mio t ca. 28%

Composites in total (glass, carbon and natural fibrereinforced plastics)2 Bio-based share

Source: nova-Institut 2010 1: Suitable for using bio-based plastics as matrix 2: AVK 2010, Ellis, P. 2010, nova 2010 3: Estimate for the year 2020, under favourable political framework

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biocomposites should also be considered: for example, from a technical point of view, more than 30% of fibre reinforcement can be achieved by natural fibres.

Environmental advantages

In fact, automotive interior parts with natural fibres are already 30 to 80% bio-based, and bring the added advantage of lightweight construction. Both of these factors would lead to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions ( 30% or more), replacing plastics and

jec composites magazine / No63 March 2011

glass fibre. Using bio-based plastics as a matrix, fully bio-based composites could be produced with even lower CO2 emissions. Natural fibre can improve the profile of bio-based plastics at low cost and with additional environmental benefits. EIHA will soon present a meta-lifecycle assessment on hemp-fibre biocomposites to prove their environmental advantages. Furthermore, the EU Commission is already supporting the development of biocomposites by funding research

Focus

The European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) started out as an informal association that was created on 14 September 2000 in Wolfsburg, Germany. On 23 November 2005, it was converted into an official association and entered into the registry of associations of the County Court Brühl under the number VR 1397. Initially, EIHA included seven members from Great Britain, the Netherlands, Germany and Italy, all of them primary hemp processors (also designated as “fibre separation” companies).
http://www.eiha.org
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #63 - March 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #63 - March 2011
