ABiCo, Advanced Biocomposites with Circular Design

Companies are searching for more environmentally friendly alternatives to plastics and composites to meet consumer expectations and end-user needs. Biobased fibers, additives, and recycled polymers enable a significant reduction in emissions while also enhancing the competitiveness of businesses and creating opportunities for new business ventures. This project answers the calls for research to address the challenging problem of circularity in biocomposites due to difficult and costly process of separation.

ABiCo will demonstrate the production of demanding added value bio-based composite materials and products made from bio-based natural fibres including wood fibres and/or bio-based synthetic fibres in bio-based or recycled thermoplastic matrices. In addition to the demonstration of the innovative composite product prototypes, including demonstration of novel fiber treatment methods, bio-based matrix, as well as full formulation with relevant innovative bio-based additives. Circular and environmental design perspectives are integrated in the development ,processes to identify the user needs as early as possible. The project produces concrete product concepts according to industry requirements.

ABiCo focuses also on design and end of life aspects for enabling circularity in biocomposites.

The research consortium includes Åbo Akademi, VTT, LUT University, LAB University of Applied Sciences, and the University of Eastern Finland.

Within the consortium there are companies representing various industry sectors and end-use applications in various sectors, such as construction and logistics.