Sustainable Plastics

3D printing is rapidly evolving into a competitive production technique, making it possible to create products tailored to customer requirements in a short lead time. Despite current innovations, the materials available for various 3D printing techniques (i.e. FFF, SLA/DLP, SLS) are still limited. Together with students and companies from our region, we focuse on developing new sustainable materials to print high-quality products. A crucial theme is the circularity of 3D printing materials. The partners are committed to 3D printing from recycled plastics, but also to the recyclability of printed products in order to completely close the plastic loop.

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• 3dPrint in Productie (GreenPAC)
• 3D Druck 2.0 (Interreg)
• 3D Druck (Interreg 1.0)
• 3D Scholing (Interreg 1.0)

The term biopolymer has two meanings. Polymers based on natural raw materials are renewable, e.g. polyesters based on plant residues. Polymers that can be degraded by nature are called biodegradable. Some plastics combine both properties, such as PHA, a plastic made by bacteria that degrades when you put them in the ground. According to the Sustainable Plastics Professorship, the development of new biopolymers offers great opportunities for the Northern Netherlands as a circular knowledge region. We make a selection from potential applications with the aim: to come up with technical challenges to bring these applications closer.

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• Biokleur
• BERNN project (EFRO)
• Copolyester
• Microspuitgieten (Interreg 2.0)
• Microspuitgieten (Interreg 1.0)

Smart materials are materials that can undergo major changes in their shape due to external influences. Our research focuses on the application of smart or sensory materials in textiles. Think of safety clothing or applications in the automotive industry. Within these research projects, we collaborate with our network. There is a clear interaction between our projects and the further development into commercial products. Vice versa, questions can come from the network which we, in turn, can investigate.

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• Smart Sustainable Sailing (ROSF)
• Sustainable Fibres (Interreg 2.0)
• Sustainable Fibers (Interreg 1.0)

Composites are materials composed of plastic and fibres. Glass, aramid or carbon are often used as fibre materials. Polyester and epoxy are often used as plastics. Composites last a long time but are not durable. It takes a lot of energy to make them and they are almost impossible to recycle. Biocomposites are composed of bio-based plastics and reinforced with natural fibres. The big advantages: they are biodegradable and easy to recycle. The development of biocomposite products such as decking and door panels for cars is in full swing. This is not yet the case in the construction, furniture and transport sectors. But new technologies will soon make it possible to produce building materials that can replace wood, steel and concrete.

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• Biobrug II (GreenPAC)
• Cirbind (ISPT)
• Biobased extruderen (Interreg 2.0)
• Biogebaseerde modulaire woningbouw systemen (Interreg 2.0)
• Biobased Fietspad (Interreg 1.0)
• Biobased Woningbouw (Interreg 1.0)
• Fokker WCCS