BIKIARIS LAB

The constant increase in the world's population leads to a reduction in natural resources and a downgrading of the sustainability of the natural environment. In the materials sector, and in particular the wood/polymer composites, a solution could be the replacement of natural wood from agricultural crop residues and the synthesis of polymers from renewable raw materials or recyclable/biodegradable materials, so that the final product can be recycled or biodegradable. So, an economy in the use of new raw materials is achieved, agricultural waste finds use in value added applications, and at the end of their lives the products are recycled and eventually biodegraded without leaving any waste.

     The subject of the project is the construction of new composite products from agricultural residues (non-useful parts of industrial cannabis stems) and polymers from renewable sources or recyclable materials.

     Phenol-formaldehyde-type polymers will be developed by replacing phenol with soy protein while typical phenol-formaldehyde and urea-formaldehyde resins will be used as reference adhesives. Their recycling will be assessed by dismantling the ready-made boards and re-using them in the production of new hemp and wood boards. Fibers form the outer part of the stem will be used as reinforcing materials of recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) and bio-polyester from renewable raw materials in order to manufacture composite products of Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) type.

     All WPPs and WPCs of the project will be fully evaluated by the partners for their physicochemical and thermal properties following the relevant European standards. The proposed WBP and WPC products are innovative and will be made for the first time in this project. WBP-type products will be used in the manufacturing of furniture. WPC products have a good aesthetic result with high mechanical strength and low maintenance costs, making them suitable for use in the manufacture of articles, interior and exterior constructions, door frames and door panels, but also in the automotive industry (interior automotive parts). The main advantage of these new products is the lower cost and weight, as well as their increased friendliness to humans and the environment, since they will be able to be composting or recycled in line with the requirements of the cyclical economy. Demand and use of products such as those to be developed in the project is also increasing due to European Union legislation requiring the incorporation of more and more recyclable parts into the manufacture of products.