AkzoNobel has received
the 2015 JEC Innovation Award for its patented cure system for bio fiber reinforced composites in the competition’s
Resins category. The company will receive its award during
the JEC Europe Composites Show in Paris March 10-12, 2015.
AkzoNobel received the JEC Innovation Award based on the development of its new
technology that removes barriers and allows for the adoption of sustainable bio
fibers to be used by composite producers.
Today, fiber reinforced composites are found in a wide variety of consumer,
industrial and infrastructure products.
Specifically, many if not all of these products rely on glass fiber
reinforcements. While glass fibers are
adequate, alternative bio-based reinforcements offer a number of advantages to manufacturers
including a much lower CO2 footprint, light weight and high-performing product
properties.
Application of bio fibers in unsaturated polyester (UP) composites requires
drying of hygroscopic fibers. After drying, immediate processing is required to
prevent moisture take-up, which can make the application of bio fibers
complicated and cumbersome.
AkzoNobel’s
innovative new curing system removes this barrier and enables a good cure of UP
composites based on humid and even wet bio fibers without influencing the
mechanical properties of the composite. This means that producers, in
many cases, can simply replace their glass reinforcement with the right bio
fiber reinforcements and produce their part as they are used to
now.
“We are convinced that this innovation can have a significant influence on
the adaptation of bio fibers in the unsaturated polyester composite industry,”
said Markus Majoor, global market segment leader for AkzoNobel’s Thermoset business. “We look forward to sharing both the
commercial and technical aspects of this innovative cure system with our existing and prospective customers at the JEC Paris and we intend
to build a co-supplier network with natural fiber producers to bring this
innovation to market.”
Since its
launch in 1998, JEC’s Innovation Awards program has recognized over 700
companies who are improving composites technology and enhancing value for
end-users. More information on the JEC
awards can be found
here.
More about this product and other AkzoNobel
innovations can be found at
www.akzonobel.com/polymer
and by visiting AkzoNobel’s stand (P47, Hall
7.3) during the JEC Paris show in March.