Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture - Project number: 87140701
Adaptive processing of bio-based materials" will tackle the existing hurdles to the use of bio-based materials from the perspective of automotive production, taking into account a circular economy.
To this end, many challenges must be analysed and solution concepts found to adaptively compensate for the fluctuating qualities and properties of natural raw materials during processing. In order to be able to take a holistic view of the relationship between raw materials, materials, semi-finished products and processing properties, the entire production chain is to be mapped in the research group.
Suitable production and tool concepts will be implemented in order to realise not only bio-based cladding components with low requirement profiles, but also structural components in particular. The use of bio-based and sustainable plastic systems that do not compete with food production is being analysed and evaluated in cooperation with JRG 2.
The recyclability of bio-based components for a functioning circular economy in future vehicle technology must be characterised and improved. Furthermore, recycling-orientated functional integration in bio-based materials will be implemented, and adapted condition determination and condition monitoring will be provided for this purpose.
Finally, the developed concepts will be evaluated and the scalability of the results tested. These research topics are to be addressed in two initial projects, project SP 3-1 "Recycling-orientated functional integration" and project SP 3-2 "Integrative processes for bio-based components".
The project of JRG 3-1 comprises the identification of suitable functional composites in order to address the step from bio-based panelling parts to structural components and to work out the recycling requirements.
Sustainable biopolymers, recyclable bioplastics and their further processing into composite semi-finished products with natural fibres will be investigated. The project team is also developing functional demonstrators and testing the recycling concepts.
This is supplemented by comprehensive material characterisation and evaluation of the functionally integrated structures using advanced simulation methods.