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THERMOFIRE

Bio-based fire-retardant thermoplastic composites reinforced with natural fibres.

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
Plastic and composites
Project period
1 June 2023 - 31 May 2027
Status
In progress
CBE JU Contribution
€ 4 473 777
Call identifier
HORIZON-JU-CBE-2022

Summary

Due to the need to meet safety requirements, fire retardancy is a key property of materials used in the automotive, aerospace and textile sectors. THERMOFIRE aims to develop bio-based thermoplastic composites with excellent flame retardancy. The composites should be 20% lighter and cost 15% less than existing products, while maintaining the performance levels required for use in demanding conditions. 

The project will reinforce bio-based polymers with bio-based flame retardants and natural fibres such as regenerated cellulose from wood and commercial flax. It will then investigate the flame-retardant properties of the resulting composites. THERMOFIRE thus provides an opportunity to reduce Europe’s dependence on imports of fossil-based polymers. 

THERMOFIRE is aimed at designing, developing and demonstrating three bio-based, flame-retardant thermoplastic composite prototypes for the automotive, aerospace and textile sectors. In technological terms, it looks to: 

  • develop polymer matrices that are up to 100% bio-based; 

  • obtain natural fibres and combine them with various fire-, smoke- and toxicity-retardant formulations to make composite samples; 

  • perform fire tests on the samples to see which formulation best meets requirements. 

 

In economic terms, THERMOFIRE aims to lower the cost of flame-retardant materials by shortening production times and to increase the market share of bio-based composites. 

 

As regards the environment, the project has the objective of tackling climate change by using: 

  • bio-based materials that have lower carbon footprints and require less energy to process than their fossil-based counterparts; 

  • reusable and recyclable thermoplastics; 

  • new polymer preparation methods with low environmental impact. 

THERMOFIRE is expected to: 

  • diversify the bio-based polymer product portfolio in terms of polymer types and range of applications by developing prototypes for electric car battery containers, aircraft seat covers and binders in non-woven textiles; 

  • improve the safety, sustainability and circularity of products containing bio-based polymers; 

  • reduce the EU’s dependence on imported fossil-based polymers for use under demanding conditions; 

  • contribute to improving infrastructure, enhancing expertise, creating jobs and strengthening value chains in the field of high-performance bio-based materials; 

  • support Europe’s moves towards carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability. 

Consortium map

Project coordination

  • AVANZARE INNOVACION TECNOLOGICA SL Navarrete, Spain

Consortium

  • ENSATEC SL Navarrete, Spain
  • CENTRO RICERCHE FIAT SCPA Orbassano, Italy
  • POLYMERIS Bellignat, France
  • NATUREPLAST Mondeville, France
  • ANGEL RUIZ IBANEZ S.A. Logrono, Spain
  • SAFRAN SA Paris, France
  • ASOCIACION PARA LA PROMOCION, INVESTIGACION, DESARROLLO E INNOVACION TECNOLOGICA DE LA INDUSTRIA DEL CALZADO Y CONEXAS DE LA RIOJA Arnedo, Spain
  • FUNDACION CENTRO TECNOLOGICO DE MIRANDA DE EBRO Miranda De Ebro Burgos, Spain
  • ARKEMA FRANCE SA Colombes, France
  • CENTRE TECHNOLOGIQUE NOUVELLE-AQUITAINE COMPOSITES & MATERIAUX AVANCES Pessac, France
  • MNLT INNOVATIONS IKE ATHENS, Greece