Ley and oats as raw material for the production of bioplastics and biocomposities - new business oppurtunities

Important results from the project

Aim of the project was to investigate the potential for bio-based plastics and composites from residual streams in agriculture. The project has shown that there is both the possibility of making thermoplastics from the residual products that exist and that the fibers can be used to reinforce and make plastics cheaper.

Expected long term effects

The residual streams investigated in the project have been shown to contain a lot of hemicellulose in particular, which is the basis for making a high-performance bio-based thermosetting plastic. Today, these thermoplastics are made from the remains of sugar beets. Since it is not profitable to use the residual products of the forest industry for these thermosetting plastics, agricultural products can become an incentive for new biorefineries in Sweden. The project has also shown that the cost of biocomposites can be reduced by using cheap agricultural residues and oat groats.

Approach and implementation

Analyzes of hay fiber and crushed oat kernels show that both have potential for thermoset production. Fibres has been mixed with a thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic (commercial) as well as with a synthesized biobased thermosetting plastic. Composites have been both pressed and injected. The fibers have also been pressed into high-performance composites after delignification without any plastic. The techno-economic analysis has shown that the first two steps in a thermoplastic production require large facilities. However, a plant for thermoset synthesis is possible