AddBIO | Bio-based additives for high-performance coatings

Region:

Flanders

Financed by

Turn residual waste into sustainable additives

Would you like to know how biomass such as cellulose, wood, cork, bark and fibres can be converted into high-performance fillers for bio-based formulations? Read our white paper ‘Conversion routes and processing technologies of biomass into functional fillers’ to discover more.

Download the AddBIO white paper

Turning bio-based raw materials into high-quality functional additives for improved coating performance

Bio-based additives offer great potential for improving coating performance and reducing environmental footprints, but both biomass suppliers and coating formulators have obstacles to overcome before they can successfully apply these materials. AddBIO aims to solve this problem by developing practical knowledge and tools to stimulate collaboration within the value chain and speed up the adoption of bio-additives in coatings. The focus is on three application areas: fire retardancy, corrosion protection and water resistance.

Context

Biomass suppliers and bio-additive producers are looking for new markets for their products. Many biomaterials (such as cellulose, wood fibre, cork or peel) have properties that could make them useful as additives in coatings. Among other things, they can increase mechanical strength, or may have extra characteristics such as colour, texture or fire retardancy. However, suppliers and producers often lack insight into how their materials perform within a coating formulation. Furthermore, most biomaterials are not immediately compatible: they require specific pretreatments about which little knowledge is available.

At the same time, the demand for bio-based solutions is growing among coating formulators, due to pressure from customers and regulations such as the European Green Deal. They need reliable data on the performance and environmental impact of bio-additives, and a systematic approach to integrating this data into their processes.

AddBIO brings together players from the entire value chain to address these knowledge gaps and develop specific applications. In three well-defined use cases (flame retardancy, corrosion protection and water resistance), additives are selected, prepared, tested and incorporated into coatings with specific properties. In this way, practical knowledge is acquired about suitability, processing, formulation, performance and impact, with the aim of accelerating and supporting the transition to bio-based additives for coatings.

Objectives & results

In order to optimise and accelerate the recovery of high-quality bio-based raw materials and waste streams in coatings, the project draws on applied research and targeted knowledge transfer. Three specific areas are targeted: fire retardancy, corrosion protection and water resistance, with the following goals:

To identify the suitability of biomass as an additive and work out what pretreatment is needed
To develop a systematic approach to formulation with these materials
To demonstrate the enhanced performance of coatings with bio-additives
To objectively evaluate the eco-impact
To strengthen and facilitate collaboration within the value chain

Key results:

For coating formulators: a decision tree (WP1) that can be used to select existing bio-additives accurately based on desired properties.
For biomass suppliers and converters: a roadmap (WP2) showing how residual flows can be purified and processed into high-quality, compatible additives.

Approach

Inspiring businesses and raising their awareness
Through various channels, media and partners within the VLAIO network, businesses are made aware of the potential of bio-additives in coatings. This broad awareness-raising programme encourages participation in workshops and project activities.
Dispelling technical obstacles by building up knowledge
Specialist knowledge dissemination helps dispel technical obstacles. The transfer is tailored to the role of each company within the value chain, enabling them to start using bio-additives effectively.
Stimulating innovation through collaboration and experimentation
Businesses are encouraged to experiment with bio-additives, supported by their own investments or grants. The advisory group and workshops create networking opportunities and promote collaboration between stakeholders in the value chain.

Target group

AddBIO offers added value to various stakeholders in the coatings value chain:

Bio-additive producers (converters)
Receive guidelines on potential processing routes and necessary pretreatments, depending on the features sought in the coatings.
Coating formulators
Obtain an overview of the applicability of bio-based additives and a decision-making model that helps them with the switch from conventional to functional bio-additives, based on processing parameters and sustainability considerations.
Coating end-users
See the potential of coatings with new bio-based additives, demonstrated through three practical use cases focusing on specific functional properties.
Biomass suppliers
Explore new, potentially more valuable market applications together with the coatings sector. The project demonstrates how initial screening can help suppliers assess the suitability of their biomass for coatings.
Suppliers of chemicals, binding agents and additives
Gain insight into the need for adapted components compatible with bio-based additives.

By bringing together all the links in the value chain around specific use cases, AddBIO underscores the importance of collaboration for achieving sustainable and high-performance solutions.