Chemical Technology April 2016

Chemical Technology • April 2016

DESIGN & MATERIALS

research. This spans the entire development spectrum from

molecule-level cutting-edge research to process develop-

ment and innovative technological solutions.

VTT operates in a close collaboration with its inter-

national partners. On a global scale, individual testing

environments for bioeconomy, for example in Karlsruhe,

Biocomposite development and processing

High-performance natural fibre com-

posites have been developed at VTT

for over a decade. The biocomposite

research focuses on the develop-

ment of material combinations of

wood or versatile natural fibres

together with oil and bio-based poly-

mers as well as the development of

new processing technologies suit-

able for these materials. The whole

process chain from the preparation

of biopolymer matrix materials, ad-

ditives and coupling agents, to the

fibre modification and, finally, to the

processing of biocomposites is cov-

ered. VTT offers pilot-scale facilities

for the processing of bio- composite

materials.

Composite material develop-

ment and processing facilities at

VTT include:

• Polymerisation and modification

of polymers and oligomers

• Fibre modification (physical,

chemical, enzymatic)

• Batch mixing and pelletising

• Compounding frommicro (6 g) to

pilot scale (20–50 kg/h)

• Injection moulding

• Extrusion

• Compression moulding

• Foaming.

The processing development of bio-

composites has brought improve-

ments in plasticisation, compound-

ing, injection moulding, extrusion

moulding, multilayer structures

and foaming technologies. Bion-

anocomposite formulation and

processing technologies are also

covered. Various characterising

and analysing methods for biocom-

posite materials are also available

at VTT.

e pilot-scale composite

material processing facilities at

VTT are comprehensive. There

are three co-rotating twin-screw

compounders, injection moulders

and extruders for making films, coat-

ings and profiles.

The available pre- and post-

processing methods include drying,

milling, reactive compacting, orien-

tation (MD-stretching and biaxial ori-

entation), AC-corona film treatment

and atmospheric plasma treatment.

For more information contact:

Antti Ojala, Research team leader

tel: +358 40S8429125

email:

antti.ojala@vtt.fi

Sweden, and in Holland, supplement VTT’s own resources,

but are not at the moment capable of offering a similar

level research environment. The services provided by VTT’s

research unit in Brazil are also available.

VTT’s expertise in materials technology, process chem-

istry or, for example, in the utilisation and standardisation

of digitalisation, also lend support to research projects

associated with bio-based economy.

Industrial sectors approach each other

In Finland, various consortia covering the entire value chain

could be formed for the purposes of development activities.

Once the roles have been clearly defined, no conflicts of

interest will arise, and it will be easy to agree on IRP, for

example, according to Jussi Mäntyniemi.

A frequently encountered problem hampering full-scale

utilisation of biomass arises from the fact that such mass

is dispersed across wide areas. Finland has the advantage

that, because of the pulp and paper industry, material is

already concentrated in a few locations and the existing

logistics will support the new solutions. On the basis of the

materials available in the coniferous forest zone, Finland

has a natural competitive edge.

Conclusions

Bioeconomy challenges participants to adopt a new kind

of thinking. In the future, bioeconomy will encourage differ-

ent industry sectors to combine their efforts to create new

business opportunities offering sustainable development,

as never seen before. What is needed is visionary and in-

novative thinking, which utilises the potential inherent in the

open innovation approach. So concludes VTT Executive Vice

President, Strategic Research, Anne-Christine Ritschkoff.

For more information contact:

Tel: exchange +358 20 722 7070; or email

info@vtt.fi

This article is based on an article entitled ‘Let’s make

bioeconomy a reality’ by Irma Lind, that appeared in ‘VTT

republished here with kind permission.