R&D - Project

FUNBIOMAT Ongoing

Highly dispersible functionalized biobased fibers for advanced biopolyester materials

Development of innovative methods to optimize the distribution of bio-based additives made of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) in biopolyesters.

Climate change, resource scarcity, plastic waste, and microplastic pollution are all key factors highlighting the need to find bio-based, recyclable, and biodegradable alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastics. Among these, naturally sourced polyester materials are widely recognized as good candidates to meet this need. However, the main biopolyesters exhibit poor thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties for use in highly demanding applications. Improving the performance of these biopolymers, by using additives from natural sources instead of mineral or fossil compounds, helps maintain the material's low carbon footprint. In this project, one of the main objectives will be to develop advanced methods for functionalizing bio-based additives to ensure optimal distribution within biopolyester materials and to achieve significant improvement in key properties (mechanical and barrier) that will open the door to their valorization in new specific applications. These developments will increase the commercialization potential of biopolyester-based products, which will benefit biopolyester manufacturing industries and plastic processing companies. FUNBIOMAT's developments will also enable packaging companies to expand their market potential by offering new sustainable bioplastic solutions (100% bio-based, recyclable, and biodegradable), suitable for most food products.