Lignin Based Carbon Fibres for Composites (LIBRE)
Research Project, 2016 – 2020

The use of carbon fiber (CF) based composites is of growing importance in many industrial applications with the current global market estimated at $28Bn [ref 9]. However, the current high cost, limited production capability in Europe and the use of petroleum-based polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as the precursor fiber (PF) from which the CF is ultimately derived, requires the development of innovative routes to industrial production. To achieve this, novel processes are needed which can utilise sustainable precursor materials to produce CF of adequate quality, reduce energy consumption during manufacture and make CF widely available and affordable across a range of different European industrial sectors. The aim of LIBRE is to use lignin rich side streams in order to develop a more resource-efficient and sustainable carbon fiber production, based on biopolymers for PF production and energy efficient processing technologies for conversion of PF to CF which will have performance levels matching or bettering current industrial standards.

Participants

Magdalena Svanström (contact)

Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Environmental Systems Analysis

Collaborations

C-Tech Innovation

Chester, United Kingdom

Centexbel

Brussels, Belgium

Centro Ricerche Fiat (CRF)

Orbassano, Italy

Dralon GmbH

Dormagen, Germany

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur

Munchen, Germany

Tecnaro Gesellschaft Zur Industriellen Anwendung Nachwachsender Rohstoffe Mbh

Ilsfeld, Germany

The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF)

Denkendorf, Germany

The Institute for Composite Materials

Kaiserslautern, Germany

The University of Bolton

Bolton, United Kingdom

University of Limerick

Limerick, Ireland

ÉireComposites Teoranta

Co. Galway, Ireland

Funding

European Commission (EC)

Project ID: EC/H2020/720707
Funding Chalmers participation during 2016–2020

Related Areas of Advance and Infrastructure

Sustainable development

Driving Forces

Publications

More information

Latest update

9/2/2020 2