AkzoNobel has received the 2015 JEC Innovation Award for its patented cure system for bio fiber reinforced composites in the competition’s Resins category.  The company will receive its award during the JEC Europe Composites Show in Paris March 10-12, 2015.

AkzoNobel received the JEC Innovation Award based on the development of its new technology that removes barriers and allows for the adoption of sustainable bio fibers to be used by composite producers.

Fiber reinforced composites are found in a wide variety of consumer, industrial and infrastructure products.  Specifically, many if not all of these products rely on glass fiber reinforcements.  While glass fibers are adequate, alternative bio-based reinforcements offer a number of advantages to manufacturers including a much lower CO2 footprint, light weight and high-performing product properties.

Application of bio fibers in unsaturated polyester (UP) composites requires drying of hygroscopic fibers. After drying, immediate processing is required to prevent moisture take-up, which can make the application of bio fibers complicated and cumbersome.

AkzoNobel’s innovative new curing system removes this barrier and enables a good cure of UP composites based on humid and even wet bio fibers without influencing the mechanical properties of the composite.  This means that producers, in many cases, can simply replace their glass reinforcement with the right bio fiber reinforcements and produce their part as they are used to now. 

“We supply the accelerators and peroxides that make the resin cure,” said Markus Majoor, global market segment leader for AkzoNobel’s Thermoset business. “There are thousands of end uses. It can be used in any closed mold composite application.  Some applications include boat building, bridges and structural design. A bio-fiber load bearing pedestrian bridge is being built at a zoo in the Netherlands.

“We are convinced that this innovation can have a significant influence on the adaptation of bio fibers in the unsaturated polyester composite industry,” added Majoor.  “We look forward to sharing both the commercial and technical aspects of this innovative cure system with our existing and prospective customers at the JEC Paris and we intend to build a co-supplier network with natural fiber producers to bring this innovation to market.”

Since its launch in 1998, JEC’s Innovation Awards program has recognized over 700 companies who are improving composites technology and enhancing value for end-users.  More information on the JEC awards can be found here.

More about this product and other AkzoNobel innovations can be found at www.akzonobel.com/polymer and by visiting AkzoNobel’s stand (P47, Hall 7.3) during the JEC Paris show in March.