Innovating Works

PUZZLE MATERIALS

Financiado
Puzzle cell nutshell waste for sustainable material solutions
In 2025 around 11 billion tonnes of plastic waste will pollute the environment. Therefore, a circular economy with biotransformation and biodegradation of oil-based plastics is as crucial as implementing biobased and biodegradable... In 2025 around 11 billion tonnes of plastic waste will pollute the environment. Therefore, a circular economy with biotransformation and biodegradation of oil-based plastics is as crucial as implementing biobased and biodegradable materials. Transforming lignocellulosic waste biomass into commercially valuable green materials is an emerging and promising way to minimize waste, substitute plastic and reduce our carbon footprint. As a waste resource, we suggest walnut shells, in which we discovered the interlocked 3-D puzzle cells. The homogeneity, the high surface area and the channels make these cells interesting for transformation into biodegradable bioplastic. We plan to dissolve the walnut shells in deep eutectic solvent to separate the cells, add water to regenerate lignin and recycle the solvent. The result of this closed process circle is a NUT slurry as a basis for our materials. To tailor and functionalize the composite for different applications we propose to add bacterial cellulose pellicles, a waste from kombucha fermentation or produced in bioreactors. The pure cellulose fibrils with high tensile strength are an exciting counterpart to the high lignin content pressure optimised puzzle cells. With different ratios of the two agri-residues we will tune the material properties for NUTplastic and NUTleather. Sustainable, energy and resource efficient, biodegradable NUTmaterials with a low carbon and environmental footprint are envisaged for the packaging and textile sector. The project activities comprise 1) development and characterisation of NUTleather and NUTplastic products at the demonstration level 2) life cycle analysis, cost of goods and carbon footprint, 3) define endusers, market analysis, potential industrial partner, buisness plan and IP strategy. We have a strong project team with highly motivated and experienced members with complimentary backgrounds and a solid wish to prove the puzzle cell performance in sustainable materials. ver más
28/02/2025
BOKU
150K€
Perfil tecnológico estimado
Duración del proyecto: 18 meses Fecha Inicio: 2023-07-31
Fecha Fin: 2025-02-28

Línea de financiación: concedida

El organismo HORIZON EUROPE notifico la concesión del proyecto el día 2023-07-31
Línea de financiación objetivo El proyecto se financió a través de la siguiente ayuda:
ERC-2022-POC2: ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS2
Cerrada hace 2 años
Presupuesto El presupuesto total del proyecto asciende a 150K€
Líder del proyecto
UNIVERSITAET FUER BODENKULTUR WIEN No se ha especificado una descripción o un objeto social para esta compañía.
Perfil tecnológico TRL 4-5