ECOXY

The project:

ECOXY will develop innovative bio-based epoxy resins and fibre-reinforcements to produce new sustainable and techno-economically competitive fibre-reinforced thermoset composites (FRTCs) by targeting advanced functionalities: reparability, reprocessability and recyclability (3R). The 3R functionalities will be achieved by using new resin formulations where commonly used curing agents will be replaced by dynamic hardeners. These new formulations, under certain operational conditions, make it possible to obtain materials that are:

– REPAIRABLE: Delamination and matrix micro-cracks will be repairable by applying heat and pressure.

– REPROCESSABLE: Cured laminates can be reprocessed to create new 3D parts (impossible with traditional FRTCs).

– RECYCLABLE: Via mechanical and chemical (at a lab scale) recycling. End-of-life parts & production scraps will be recovered for the production of short-fibre reinforced parts.

– BIO-BASED: In sharp contrast to new type of polymer networks that have emerged in recent years, which can inherently be 3R but are still based on non-renewable fossil-derived materials, ECOXY will develop bio-based resin and fibre-reinforcement materials to produce bio-based 3R FRTCs.

These will be achieved by developing: 1) tailor-made bio-based epoxy monomers (including biorefinery products), 2) upgraded and functional bio-based fibres (natural and PLA), 3) specific formulations for FRTCs manufacturing processes (RTM, wet compression moulding and pultrusion) and 4) additional functionalities such as flame-retardancy for 3R resin and self-healing for fibres. The selected prototypes will be validated for automotive and construction sectors using relevant standards and applicable certifications.

Partnership:

ECOXY is supported by 13 partners from 8 different European countries (Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and The Netherlands) in order to meet the marked objectives. 6 partners are SMEs, 6 partners are research institutions, and there is also 1 academia from different sectors necessary to complete the value chain of the project: CENTEXBEL, Weverij Flipts & Dobbels Nv and Avantium will work in the development of bio-based fibres. CIDETEC, UNIVERSITY OF NICE SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS and Specific Polymers will develop the bio-based 3R thermoset and FRTCs. FRAUNHOFER ICT, FUNDACION AITIIP, AIMPLAS, CENTRO RICERCHE FIAT and Bergamo Tecnologie will deal with the fabrication and validation of composite parts. European Composite Recycling Technology will be leader of work package dealing with recycling, repairing and reprocessing and Vertech Group will be the one doing the economic and environmental assessment.

Our role:

CIDETEC acts as coordinator of the ECOXY project. Apart from this role, CIDETEC is in charge of several key technical tasks and activities, including:

– Formulation, fabrication and characterization of 3R bio-based epoxy thermosets and fibre -reinforced composites at lab scale.

– Recycling of composite parts.

– Reparability of composite parts.