Biocomposites / Events
Biocomposites / Events Composites go green: Biocomposites at COMPOSITES EUROPE 2014 www.composites-europe.com Info: 1: The study can be downloaded form http://www.bio-based.eu/markets Materials made from wood flour, cotton, flax, jute or even hemp are already being deployed as compression moulding components, especially by the automotive industry – with other trades increasingly following suit. Biocomposites are steadily gaining in importance for the future of the manufacturing sector, and COMPOSITES EUROPE 2014 is set to present the full potential of these bio-based composite materials from 7 th to 9 th October in Düsseldorf, Germany. A number of exhibitors specialising in biocomposites will showcase their product solutions at COMPOSITES EUROPE. Michael Carus, the managing director of the novainstitute (Hürth, Germany), which will also be exhibiting at Composites Europe 2014, already sees a positive trajectory for biocomposites being used in a range of manufacturing applications. “In 2012, about 100 companies in the EU produced more than 350,000 tonnes of wood- and naturalfibres reinforced biocomposites. The majority of these products were extruded into decking using wood flour and wood fibres (wood-plastic composites, WPC). Natural fibres are deployed primarily for use as compression-moulding parts in car interiors. In 2012, about 90,000 tonnes of these natural fibre composites (NFC) were used by automobile manufacturers across Europe. The combined share of WPC and NFC biocomposites has already reached 15% of the total composites market. In a recent study 1 , the nova-institute laid out a number of different scenarios for the future unfolding of the biocomposites landscape. Says Carus: “A favourable political and economic framework has been creating clear forward momentum, particularly for injection and compression moulding, which will replace significant amounts of conventional composite materials. This would greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. At COMPOSITES EUROPE, the institute will participate in a group stand focussed on bio-based composites while offering project development and consultation services in areas such as bio-based materials, techno-economic evaluation and eco balancing. Key players at COMPOSITES EUROPE What’s more, the industry’s leading enterprises will be on hand as well. So far, exhibitors in Composites Europe’s biocomposites segment include the Belgian companies Armacell Benelux, Basaltex nv and Beologic. Additionally, the Swiss firm Bcomp, the European Industrial Hemp Association based in Hürth, the Dresden/Germany nonprofit Forum Technologie und Wirtschaft e.V. and the weaving mill Güth & Wolf (Gütersloh/Germany) will present their solutions in this area. The roster also includes Isowood from Rudolstadt and Jakob Winter from Nauheim (both Germany). Displays will focus primarily on materials based on wood and natural fibres such as flax and hemp. Biowert from Brensbach/Germany will present materials containing meadow grass. On show will be natural-fibre needle felt nonwovens for compression moulding parts as well as a variety of product solutions made from naturalfibre compression moulding parts – specialty cases, for example – and technical foams and insulation materials. MT 10 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/14] Vol. 9
PRESENTS 2014 THE NINTH ANNUAL GLOBAL AWARD FOR DEVELOPERS, MANUFACTURERS AND USERS OF BIO-BASED PLASTICS. Call for proposals Enter your own product, service or development, or nominate your favourite example from another organisation Please let us know until August 31st: 1. What the product, service or development is and does 2. Why you think this product, service or development should win an award 3. What your (or the proposed) company or organisation does Your entry should not exceed 500 words (approx 1 page) and may also be supported with photographs, samples, marketing brochures and/or technical documentation (cannot be sent back). The 5 nominees must be prepared to provide a 30 second videoclip More details and an entry form can be downloaded from www.bioplasticsmagazine.de/award The Bioplastics Award will be presented during the 9 th European Bioplastics Conference December 2013, Brussels, Belgium supported by Sponsors welcome, please contact mt@bioplasticsmagazine.com bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/13] Vol. 8 11
