Biobased and innovative material solutions for sound absorbers in public premises

Important results from the project

The aim of the project was to develop a sound absorbent based on hemp fiber and recycled textile from the healthcare sector with an innovative flame retardant (non-halogen) approved to be mounted in the ceiling. The project succeeded in developing a method for efficient production of the basic material for the sound absorbent with good mechanical properties and sound absorption performance. The flame retardant that was developed works as intended but due to the design of the fire standard (EN 13501-1) the final product was not approved.

Expected long term effects

The project has served as a green house and source of inspiration for products that have been developed in later public projects and directly with the actual companies and has demonstrated the possibilities of using recycled textiles in similar applications. The project also shows the importance of a unified Swedish/Nordic mobilization in how to process plant fibers like hemp and flax. The developed flame retardant has potential to replace existing less sustainable flame retardants in e.g. curtains and wall-mounted sound absorbents.

Approach and implementation

The project was divided into a number of sub-projects with clear boundaries and objectives. Deliveries and communication between the various sub-projects have worked well. The TRL-level has been raised 2-3 steps in the various parts and finished demonstrators have been produced that show the possibilities with this type of materials. Unfortunately, the sound absorbent was not approved in current fire tests, which meant that the final assembly and display in an actual room could not be done.