BioProfile

BIOPROFILE: (CO-)EXTRUDED PROFILES FROM BIOPLASTICS REINFORCED WITH PLANT RESIDUES 

The aim of this research project is to produce a range of bioplastic reinforced profiles, from window and façade profiles with good thermal insulation and flame retardant properties, to semi-elastic flat profiles in the form of plates with potential to be used as core material in fabrication of structural sandwich panels. All profiles are made by extrusion and co-extrusion from disintegrated wheat straw fibres and other natural fibres. The aim is to propose an alternative biomaterial that could replace conventional PVC profiles used for window production, as well as aluminium, wood and wood-polymer composite (WPC) profiles. Products made from renewable biomaterials are becoming increasingly important due to climate change and the noticeable shortage of fossil raw materials. The co-extrusion process will be used primarily for the production of biowindow profiles, where the core consists of natural fibre-reinforced bioplastics based on plant/wood waste and the outer layer/cover consists of plant waste-reinforced bioplastics and/or veneer. The aim is to achieve the highest possible degree of fibre filling within the physical and mechanical properties required for the component. The product itself should consist of up to 100% renewable raw materials. The project will develop a number of semi-product samples and mock-ups to demonstrate their potential applications.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Jun.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Arch. Hanaa Dahy
BioMat at the Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE), University of Stuttgart

RESEARCHERS

Piotr Baszyński (BioMat at ITKE)

PARTNERS

University of Stuttgart, BioMat/ITKE
Fraunhofer-Institut für Holzforschung (Fraunhofer WKI)
Mathias Stange ETS
profine GmbH

FUNDING

The FNR – Fachagentur für Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V.
Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft (BEML), FKZ 22021516