Development of Bio-composites with minimum impact on the marine environment.

News update, September 2020

SeaBioComp Masterclass on 3D printing of Biopolymers stimulates lively interaction

In September 2020, Dr Albert ten Busschen, from Poly Products, hosted a very successful online MasterClass titled ‘Large-scale 3D printing of Biopolymers’.

The event successfully informed interested parties of the activities of Work Package 2 and all the activities associated with 3D printing of bio-polymers. The event attracted an audience of 14 delegates from a good cross section of industry and research organisations.

Presentations from both the presenters can are available to download from the following link: http://www.seabiocomp.eu/downloads/

Press Release, May 2020

SeaBioComp Project develops bio-polymer 3D printed marine fender profile

SeaBioComp, a collaborative project developing and producing novel bio-based thermoplastic composite materials for marine applications, has produced its first 3D printed biopolymer fender profile for use in the marine environment.

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Objective

Seabiocomp aims to develop and deliver demonstrators using innovative bio-sourced composite materials with the following characteristics:

• Durability tailored to the specific application (2 to >20 years) for a marine demonstrator as measured by newly developed analytical methods.
• Mechanical properties at least equivalent to those of conventional petroleum-derived composites.
• Reduction of CO2 emissions (30%). Reduction of the ecological impact of microplastics on the marine environment, as measured by recently developed analytical methods.
• Demonstration of the recycling potential of the materials used in the demonstrator.

These characteristics are expected to reduce the overall environmental impact by 50% compared to conventional petroleum products throughout the value chain, from generation to waste treatment. Proposed biocomposite materials and analytical protocols developed to ensure long-term sustainability and ecotoxicity should lead to a shift in mentality throughout the value chain, that biological composites are a realistic alternative to petroleum products.

Partners

To ensure the success of this project, expertise in various fields such as the formulation of polymers and textiles (Centexbel, CETI), the formation of composites (Armines, Plymouth University & Polyproducts BV), the Marine Environmental Impact and Sustainability Studies (Portsmouth University, VLIZ & Ifremer) were combined in the seabiocomp partnership.

Find out more

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