Platform (bio)composite
Increasing awareness means that the world is on the eve of a major transition in terms of raw material and material use. Imminent scarcity of raw materials and the increasing awareness that we need to handle raw materials more carefully are causing a shift from a linear economic model to a circular economic model.
However, there must be an awareness that this transition is at the beginning. Besides opportunities, there are many uncertainties and there has not yet been a far-reaching development by the business community regarding the production of sustainable materials. There are also major dependencies within the business chain on sustainable materials.
In line with the national agenda, the trends and thus opportunities for Drenthe in the composites field lie mainly in sustainability, cost reduction and predictability.
Reason
The Netherlands shows particular strength in high-technology applications such as thermoplastics and carbon fibres. This is reflected in Drenthe in the form of the presence of unique high-tech facilities such as the Fokker factory specialised in thermoplastics in Hoogeveen and the knowledge and technology development at NHL Stenden in Emmen. This provides a solid basis for further ecosystem development.
Cooperation between the sectors Smart Industry, Agri and Chemistry leads to new impulses in the field of sustainable innovations. The agricultural arsenal in the region can (partly) be used for the production of renewable raw materials such as hemp and flax for the application of biocomposites in, for instance, (housing) construction and its industrialisation. Among other things, this offers prospects for farmers in the context of CO2 and nitrogen issues. Making chemistry more sustainable also fits well in this context. Local governments can be a launching customer when it comes to the use of (bio)composites in road and hydraulic engineering in the Northern region. With this, the Dutch Techzone can be an example for the Netherlands when it comes to implementing the biobased and circular economy.
There are many initiatives (completed or not), related to (bio)composite and manufacturing technology. The platform should end this fragmentation, unite the various initiatives, secure knowledge, valorise etc.
Fokker itself does not have the capacity nor does it know how to translate this knowledge to other sectors. In consultation with Fokker and, among others, the province of Drenthe and NOM, we, as knowledge institutions, would like to take this up.
To further shape this ecosystem, a platform has been developed that brings together knowledge related to (bio)composite, technology and sectors in this way. A unique platform for the Netherlands and beyond. The platform has an active role in driving business and cooperation between education, industry & governments. www.composeit.nl
What problem does the project solve?
It is important to know the way composites are viewed from the region.
Research shows that the global composites market is growing steadily. The popularity of composites is increasing because it can help many sectors become more sustainable and safer. It thus makes a direct contribution to mission-driven policies in areas such as CO2 reduction, energy transition and safety.
The platform where initiatives, knowledge, education, facilities, companies, institutions are united and secured. Knowledge sharing between Fokker and regional SMEs leads to new innovations and thus employment.
By working together in the education chain from MBO to WO, the curriculum can be updated and the right skills and knowledge can be imparted to students, who then go to work for the companies.
Who is the project team?
How is the project team tackling this?
The realisation of this platform required additional capacity. Researchers, teachers and business development are involved in the working group.
Knowledge is pooled, companies from the sectors approached to identify issues, but also to disseminate knowledge present among the member parties. From this, the platform should emerge, bringing together companies, education, research and facilities.
Getting the platform operational required a start-up period. After that, the platform will keep itself running. Work that has been taken up for this purpose includes making connections, knowledge sharing, research and valorisation. The platform is already live: www.composeit.nl.
Main / preliminary results
Unique, national platform for (bio)composites
Collaboration between various knowledge institutes and companies and a spinn off to other sectors, e.g. agri & care
Various showcases, master classes and (research) projects
Renewal of curricula in secondary and higher education with opportunities for transfer
Awareness of opportunities for composites, flax & hemp
Further development of (bio)composite knowledge, working with and processing (bio)composite
Innovation and activity/ start-ups and employment initiated and driven
Reducing material use
Deployment of agricultural forests instead of production forests
Reducing energy consumption
Project partners
From various courses of the member institutions and in various research projects, we cooperate with various companies, institutions, corporations such as:
- Holtkamper
- Technologies Added
- Fiby
- Wavin
- Vepa
- Bioframe
- Getech
- Milling Company Europe
- Domesta
- Saxion (TPAC & TPRC)
- Windesheim
The ambition is to connect a respected lecturer to the platform.
