Bioplastics Award
Bioplastics Award Automotive wins Bioplastics Award 2012 This year the prestigious Bioplastics Award was given to two winners, both from the automotive sector. The 7 th Bioplastics Award, proudly presented by bioplastics MAGAZINE for the 3 rd time now, went to TAKATA AG and IfBB - Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites. The awards were given to the winners on November 6 th during the 7 th European Bioplastics Conference in Berlin. The annual Bioplastics Award was established in 2006 by the English trade publication European Plastics News. It recognizes innovation, success and achievements by companies and institutions in the field of bioplastic materials. Five judges from the academic world, the press and industry associations from America, Europa and Asia have chosen the two winners in a head-on-head race. For the judges it was significant that both automotive related developments in an exciting way show the huge potential that bio-based plastics offer. With the need for lightweighting and the goal of reducing the fossil energy consumption and thus global warming, these projects are very good approaches that can lead the way. Both projects show the versatility that biobased plastics, with or without natural fibre reinforcement can offer today and in future. left to right: Dr. Michael Thielen (bioplastics MAGAZINE), Udo Gaumann (TAKATA), Prof. Hans-Josef Endres (IfBB Hannover) (Photo: European Bioplastics) 12 bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/12] Vol. 7
Bioplastics Award TAKATA AG: Bioplastic steering wheel and airbag showcase project Takata presented a ‘showcase’ of a complete real steering wheel system. Here TAKATA elaborated the possibilities and limits of using biobased plastics in such sensitive products like airbags and steering wheels. Available biopolymers were benchmarked according the requirements and converted in to real components which were then tested according the specifications of the automotive industry to verify the material limits in steering wheels and airbags. With this project Takata illustrates their competence to develop biobased steering wheels and airbags and support their customers to define the technical limits of biopolymers. IfBB - Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites: Biobased tailgate of a racing car The biobased tailgate of the ‘Bioconcept’-racing car of the race team Four Motors is part of a joint project (supported by BMELV/FNR) to convert as many automotive parts into biobased plastic parts as possible. The tailgate, which is being produced from linen (flax fibres) and an epoxy resin made from renewable resources. The amount of biobased components in the resin is currently at 30 - 35% (together with the fibres about 65%). IfBB also evaluates series production methods such as injection moulding of thermoplastic natural fiber reinforced biocomposites for the mass production of such parts. In issue 01/2013 bioplastics MAGAZINE will publish comprehensive articles about both award winning projects. bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/12] Vol. 7 13
