Road to Biocomposites: the added value of natural fibres
Natural fibre-reinforced (bio)polymers, also called ‘biocomposites’, can offer significant advantages: less environmental impact, weight reduction, good damping properties, energy efficiency, possibilities for local value chains and lower risk in regard to health and safety of workers. But they come with significant challenges too. Join us for an inspirational event where you will dive deep into the different ways you can tackle the challenges. Get a comprehensive understanding of when the use of natural fibres really brings the added value in composites both in an ecological and economical way.
During this event, you will:
- See technical potential: the technological potential of biocomposites will be described and shown through demonstrators and products. We aim to showcase what is technologically possible and what the boundaries are.
- Learn together: presentations by experienced natural fibre users with different perspectives will foster interesting discussions and insights. There will be dedicated plenary time slots to share your personal experiences with other participants.
The event focuses on the utilisation of natural, plant-based fibres and covers all fibre lengths and architectures: short fibre lengths (mm), continuous fibres (m), random, woven, and unidirectional fibres.
Don't miss the chance to be part of a seminar designed to catalyse thought, debate, and partnership, setting the stage for the next wave of material innovation.
Programme
Time | Topic | Speakers | |
9:30 – 10:00 | Welcome drink | ||
10:00 – 10:45 | Interactive introduction | ||
10:45 – 11:15 | Natural fiber use in traffic signs and facade panels, the road to a positive business case | Willem Bottger, NPSP | |
11:15 – 11:45 |
We grow your cities: a sustainable traffic-pole using locally grown hemp fibres |
Yorick Lauwers, C-Biotech |
|
11:45 – 12:15 | Results and take-aways of the BREPLA project | Frederik Goethals, Centexbel; Wannes Lembrechts, Sirris | |
12:15 – 12:30 | Wrap up of the morning session | ||
12:30 – 13:15 | Lunch | ||
13:15 – 13:45 | Sirris lab demonstration | ||
13:45 – 14:20 | How to improve the moisture resistance and durability of natural fiber composites? | Aart Willem Van Vuure and Gilles Koolen, KU Leuven | |
14:20 – 14:30 | Pause | ||
14:30 - 15:00 | Towards thermoplastic composites with natural fibers: first application case studies and outlook for further adoption | Hans Miltner, W8SVR | |
15:00 – 15:30 | Engineering the bio-based future with bamboo fibers: technologies, applications and future business cases | Johan Kocks and Michel Jansen, Bambooder | |
15:30 – 16:00 | Interactive end session | ||
16:00 – 17:00 | Networking drink |
The working language of this event is English.
Price:
Thanks to the support of VLAIO within the framework of the #industrypartnership project, companies located in Flanders pay 111 euro (exl. VAT) for the entire event. The participation fee for this event is 371 euro (exl. VAT) for companies outside of Flanders.
This programme is part of Industriepartnershap in which 17 Flemish innovation partners offer an integrated service to stimulate growth and innovation in the Flemish industry in the 3 following themes: Digitisation, Sustainability & Industry 4.0. They do so under the leadership of Agoria and Sirris and with the support of Agentschap Innoveren & Ondernemen.