Biocomposites Fig. 4:
Biocomposites Fig. 4: Primary energy use of different materials in GJ/t GJ/t 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Carbon fibre PUR PES PES PP Glass fibre Mineral Hemp wool fibre Fig. 5: GHG emissions expressed in percentages for the production of fossil based and hemp based composites for a number of studies – showing the effects of biogenic carbon storage where available 100 Hemp-based composites, accounted for carbon storage Hemp-based composites, not accounted for carbon storage Fossil-based composites 3 Discussion on further sustainability aspects of natural bast fibres Although carbon footprints are a very useful tool to assess the climate impact of products, a comprehensive ecological evaluation must consider further environmental categories. Only taking into account greenhouse gas emissions can lead to inadequate product reviews and recommendations for action, in particular when other environmental impacts have not been considered at all. Therefore, one task of further studies is to take other impact categories into consideration. Since natural fibres are used in many industry sectors, certification is a suitable instrument to prove sustainability. At the moment there are certification systems available which insure the production of biomass in a social and environmentally sustainable way. For natural technical fibres there are two favourable systems in place which are recognized worldwide. These are (in alphabetical order): 1. International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS) for food and feed products as well as for technical/chemical applications (e. g. bioplastics) and applications in the bioenergy sector (e. g. solid biomass). 2. Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) is an international multi-stakeholder initiative for the global standard and certification scheme for sustainable production of biomaterials and biofuels. Natural fibres certified as sustainable have hitherto been unavailable on the market. However, the ISCC PLUS certification is currently underway for different hemp fibre producers within Europe. So it is expected that the first sustainable certificated natural fibres will be available by the end of 2015. http://bio-based.eu GHG emissions in %: fossil- and hemp-based composites compared 80 60 40 20 4 5 6 7 8 9 [1] Barth, M., Carus, M.: Carbon Footprint and Sustainability of Different Natural Fibres for Biocomposites and Insulation Material, nova-Institute, Hürth, Germany, 2015 0 Hemp fibre/PP vs. GF/PP mat Hemp fibre/PP vs. GF composites Hemp fibre/PP vs. PP composite Hemp fibre/epoxy vs. ABS automotive door panel Hemp fibre/PTP vs. GF/PES bus exterior panel Hemp/PP vs. GF/PP battery tray This article is an extract from the publication “Carbon Footprint and Sustainability of Different Natural Fibres for Biocomposites and Insulation Material“ that is available for download at www.biobased.eu/ecology . The publication also includes various references which were not reproduced here in the interest of length. 38 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/15] Vol. 10
PRESENTS 2015 THE TENTH ANNUAL GLOBAL AWARD FOR DEVELOPERS, MANUFACTURERS AND USERS OF BIOBASED PLASTICS. Call for proposals Enter your own product, service or development, or nominate your favourite example from another organisation Please let us know until July 30 th 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 10 th European Bioplastics Conference November 5-6 2015, Berlin, Germany supported by Sponsors welcome, please contact mt@bioplasticsmagazine.com bioplastics MAGAZINE [02/15] Vol. 10 9
