2.11.2022
BIOMAC at K-LIVE Trade Fair for Plastics and Rubber
From 19 to 26 of October 2022, the BIOMAC partners AUTH, FH-WKI, AIMPLAS, ITENE and NOVAMONT participated in the K2022 exhibition, the World’s No.1 Trade Fair for Plastics and Rubber which was held in Düsseldorf, Germany.
During the exhibition, the partners had the opportunity to disseminate the BIOMAC project amongst the leading companies in the plastic’s industry and a very large number of scientific visitors.
The partners showcased BIOMAC in their designated exhibition areas. ITENE is a Technological Centre specializing in R&D in packaging, logistics, transport and mobility. ITENE participates in the BIOMAC project with two Pilot Lines for the production of nanocellulose and formulation of coatings.
From the exhibition area of ITENE
The Department of Surface Technology at the Fraunhofer WKI develops paints and adhesives on the basis of vegetable oils, sugars, lignin and waste materials. The research focusses on the entire value chain of wood coatings and adhesion, including the synthesis of binders, formulation and application of coatings. FH-WKI offers their expertise on resins to the BIOMAC project via their Resin Production Pilot Line, which can synthesize resins with zeotropic polycondensation or polyaddition, suitable for additive manufacturing (UV-curable) and printing inks in a production scale up to 25 kg. The resins that FH-WKI will produce will be demonstrated in automotive and printed electronics applications within the BIOMAC project.
The exhibition area of FH-WKI
AIMPLAS, a Plastic Technology Center located in Valencia was also an exhibitor and showcased the capabilities of their reactive extrusion pilot line, that can synthesize PLA and nanocomposites in a continuous manner. Such nanocomposites will be tested in agricultural and food packaging applications.
The exhibition area of AIMPLAS
NOVAMONT is a leading company in the development of sustainable materials and biochemicals and will demonstrate the use of biobased nanocomposites developed in BIOMAC in agricultural applications. As a Test Case leader, NOVAMONT will biobased, biodegradable and antioxidant polymer composites produced in the pilot lines of BIOMAC which will contribute to soil amendment and remediation after biodegradation of bioplastics in soil, thus increasing soil health and quality.
The project coordinator, Professor Dimitrios Bikiaris discussed with managers and experts from several businesses operating in the plastic’s industry that found the concept of BIOMAC appealing. The main interest of stakeholders was mostly focused on PLA nanocomposites and their possibility on a wider scale application at various industrial sectors such as automotive, agriculture and textiles.
Lastly, numerous visitors were informed about the current progress of the BIOMAC project, the upcoming open call and its commitment towards sustainable and green development of plastics.
The BIOMAC Open Call
BIOMAC will launch an open call, inviting SMEs, Large Enterprises or other stakeholders to submit their proposals, aiming to design and upscale nano-enabled bio-based materials (NBMs) concepts.
5 proposals will be selected, and the BIOMAC OITB will offer access to its pilot lines and complementary services free of charge.