In many areas, agricultural, cellulose-containing residues in the form of residual raw material are extensively exploited for energy by firing or biologically as fodder. While electricity, heat and power are being generated that way, at the same time material values, i.e. raw materials are destroyed. This not only leads to increased air pollution and reduced quality, but it also prevents the return of such residues into the economic cycle as high-quality products (upcycling). The aim of this project is to create opportunities to redirect residue flows in such a way that they are processed into sustainable and high-quality biocomposite materials in order to make them available to the energy sector as needed.

The end product is defined as a fibre-reinforced or filled, injection-moulded bioplastics granulate having a predetermined property profile. The first step is to develop a method for the production of plant fibres and fillers from unused by-products of agriculture and the food industry. While our project partner PCM Green Energy is focused on the development of these modules, the IfBB takes on the task to develop the desired properties as well as further processing methods and tests for the obtained fibres and fillers.

Beyond process and materials development, various technical interfaces of the extruder system are optimised for processing the remaining residue strains in order to ensure the best possible fibre introduction and incorporation. One particular focus is the twin-side feed device (ZSFE), which is regarded as the most critical point in the extrusion process.

• Project title: InReBi - Material valorisation of vegetable residues into sustainable biocomposites
• Subtitle: Inus-InReBi/Development, testing and optimisation of the thermoplastic Matrix Strohcompound
• Sponsor: VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH
• Financing: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
• Project partners: IfBB - Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites at Hannover University of Applied Sciences, PCM Green Energy GmbH & Co. KG
• Duration: 01.09.2016 – 31.12.2018