biocomposites area can be more than 10% stiffer in natural-fibre composites compared to glass. By optimizing the production of natural-fibre cloth for composites and improving the adhesion between fibre and resin, we are confident that the performance of natural-fibre composites can be improved even further. internal body panels for trains and train furniture. The replacement of the steel front and back panels of intercity trains of Dutch Railways resulted in a number of sustainability advantages. The lower weight of the panels (1,000 kg per train) lowers electricity consumption. Dutch Railways have calculated that for each kg saved, the train uses 5 kWh less energy per year. This means 5 MWh of electricity saved per train, and therefore 500 euros on electricity costs, per year. 1 kWh of electricity is comparable to the emission of 0.5 kg CO2. This means that each train is less pollutant by 0.5 metric tons of CO2 a year. A biocomposite version of the panels has been produced. This demonstrator has been unveiled by the Dutch Minister of Environment. NPSP Composieten is also making its first steps in the automotive business. The company developed the fenders and hood Application NPSP Composieten is introducing bio-composites in external and 44 jec composites magazine / No66 July - August 2011 Fig.5: CQS Group T 2CV race car & Front panel for NS ICM train Fig.6: NPSP/Qwic biobased electric scooter “proof of concept” for two race versions of the Citroën 2CV car for the CQS Group T racing team, one electrical and the other, hybrid. For this project, the company also used the experience gained in building the first Nuna solar car, which won the World Solar Challenge in Australia in 2001. The bio-based electric scooter that NPSP is developing together with Qwic is an example of a product for which a bio-composite monocoque has been developed. The entire metal frame has been replaced by a naturalfibre-reinforced monocoque structure. The product will be launched next year. n More information: www.npsp.nlhttp://www.npsp.nl http://www.JECMAGAZINE.com