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CUBIC

Improving the cirCUlarity of complex plastic multi-material composites using novel BIobased materials in B2B semi-finished produCts

Project details

Type of project
Research & Innovation Action
Project focus
Bio-based polymers & plastics
Feedstock origin
Agri-food waste
Forestry waste
Feedstock type
Bioplastics
Lignin & wood residues
Project period
1 September 2023 - 28 February 2027
Status
In progress
CBE JU Contribution
€ 4 683 365,49
Call identifier
HORIZON-JU-CBE-2022

Summary

CUBIC is developing sustainable and circular bio-based materials, including polyamides, pre-pregs and carbon fibres for use in thermoplastic and thermoset plastic intermediate products such as filaments, sheets, unidirectional tapes, pellets and powders. These intermediate products will be assembled into complex end-products. 

The project’s modular approach will allow the characteristics of the complex products to be adapted to unconventional production processes, thereby overcoming current technical and environmental limitations so as to meet the needs of various sectors. 

Two end-products will be validated: a pressure vessel for gas storage and a car seat. CUBIC will also demonstrate the disassembly, recycling and recovery of the components. 

CUBIC aims to increase the sustainability of complex products made from advanced composite thermoset plastic and thermoplastic structures by developing new circular bio-based materials. Its specific objectives are to: 

  • develop and validate three 100% bio-based materials and at least seven circular intermediate products and combine the intermediate products into two end-products that meet all technical and environmental requirements; 

  • demonstrate a circular and sustainable production system in two value chains – thermoplastic and thermoset plastic products; 

  • explore the potential of the intermediate products in at least three other sectors, such as sports equipment, aeronautics and railway transport, and for other automotive products; 

  • validate processes for disassembly, recycling and recovery of the products to highlight their circularity; 

  • assess the environmental, social and ethical impacts of the products and develop chemical safety assessments and toxicology profiles for them; 

  • apply artificial intelligence tools to improve the performance of the materials; 

  • communicate project outputs to 300 researchers, 100 industrial representatives, 50 policymakers and 2 500 citizens; 

  • create two training programmes – one for scientists and engineers, one for industrial workers – on the circular economy and smart, green manufacturing practices. 

CUBIC is expected to contribute to the green and digital transformation of European manufacturing by: 

  • increasing the availability of circular bio-based materials for intermediate products and of renewable carbon sources for more sustainable production and consumption, especially in the chemical and plastics sectors; 

  • diversifying the bio-based material and intermediate product portfolios and widening the scope of their applications to support the creation of innovative bio-based end-products in a range of sectors; 

  • helping to reduce soil and water contamination caused by waste generation; 

  • developing a sustainable, circular production model for bio-based industry built on flexible (using prefabricated or modular parts), decentralised, customised and low-cost manufacturing. 

Consortium map

Project coordination

  • FUNDACION AITIIP Zaragoza, Spain

Consortium

  • NOVAMONT SPA Novara, Italy
  • FUNDACION CIRCE CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION DE RECURSOS Y CONSUMOS ENERGETICOS Zaragoza, Spain
  • CENTRE SCIENTIFIQUE & TECHNIQUE DEL'INDUSTRIE TEXTILE BELGE ASBL BRUXELLES, Belgium
  • Q-PLAN INTERNATIONAL ADVISORS PC Kalamaria, Thessaloniki, Greece
  • UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK Limerick, Ireland
  • IDENER RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT AGRUPACION DE INTERES ECONOMICO LA RINCONADA SEVILLA, Spain
  • SPECIFIC POLYMERS Castries, France
  • COMFIL APS Gjern, Denmark
  • DEUTSCHE INSTITUTE FUR TEXTIL- UND FASERFORSCHUNG DENKENDORF Denkendorf, Germany
  • FUNDACION CIDETEC San Sebastian, Spain
  • MOSES PRODUCTOS SL Zaragoza, Spain
  • CARBOTAINER PROYECTOS SL La Muela, Spain