Biobased and biodegradable polymer foam from bioplastics and feathers - step 2

Important results from the project

Purpose was to create a compound between biologically hydrolyzed feather and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), to be used to form replacements for PU foams. TRL starting point 2 was 2 and the target 6. We did not reach the desired TRL, we reached 4, Technology validated in lab. Unfortunately, the properties of the product was not acceptable for the application.

Expected long term effects

Due to the inherent crystalline structure of PHB and PHBV, none of the combinations and methods tried successful foam production and the obtained results failed to meet the criteria for foam quality, particularly in terms of morphology and density. A new successful method was tried to produce a copolymer of PHBV-PHO (that has lower crystallinity compare to PHBV) via dissolving of both material in DMSO. The copolymer was then applied for foam production in a mold. However its properties like microscopic images and the density did not meet the requirement of a foam for our application.

Approach and implementation

WP 1 small scale raw material production - Completed WP 2 small scale compounding - Completed WP 3 Kg scale production of PHA’s and fibers, PHA and fibers in kg-scale produced, compounding and testing. - not compounded, not tested WP 4 Techno-commercial evaluation - Not done