DuraPulp - Verification and Validation (DPW)
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Södra Skogsägarna ekonomisk förening - Södra Innovation och Hållbarhet |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 3 000 000 |
| Project duration | December 2013 - December 2015 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
The purpose was to verify DuraPulp in the wet forming process with strategic partners. Wet forming is a technology that is commercially interesting since it is possible to vary the product to the form and performance. Products where designed and verified with the customer. The equipment is available to customers and for further material and process development. We have gained extensive knowledge and created a platform for value chain. Plans for commercialization and further development have been created.
Results and expected effects
Together with strategic partners a pilot machine that builds on existing conversion technology has been developed. The technology has been adapted so that a composite material can be wet formed with high temp and high pressure. Products have been manufactured and verified along the value chain. An important issue that needs to be investigated is how DuraPulp can be recycled. This is not unique for DuraPulp; it applies to all bio-based composites. Today it is a lack of system and techniques for this.
Approach and implementation
The project had three phases with activities which have been driven in parallel. The machine was put into operation in June 2015. Products have been manufactured manually and shown for the customer to get an accept at the prototype level before tools were developed for the machine. The first product of the machine was a tray. The performance has been evaluated to verify the appropriate process parameters and how they affect the final product. In the experiments pressure, temperature and time have varied