New trends and current developments in natural fiber-reinforced plastics in the new interdisciplinary research technology center at the HSZG
The LaNDER³ project (Lusatian natural fibre composites, decentralized energy, raw materials, resources, recycling), which has been one of the three major transfer projects at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences since 2017, deals with the entire life cycle of natural fibre-reinforced plastics - from fibre extraction to the recycling of components.
The aim is to produce natural fibers from regionally available biomass, such as nettle or mallow. Following pulping, they are processed into high-tech composite materials. This produces lightweight, resilient materials that are shaped in an energy-efficient manner, coated to suit their function and returned after use. This process becomes economical if the residual materials from the plants can also be recycled.
The LaNDER³ partnership brings together the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences with non-university research institutions to develop concepts together with regional and international companies that reach far beyond the region.
On 3.12.19, the researchers met with the practice partners in the newly inaugurated LaNDER³ Technical Center to discuss the results of the past year and to set the course for future work. In addition to keynote speeches from the individual research focus areas, the guests were able to follow presentations from the Competence Center Wood in Austria. Printed sensors for measuring moisture, temperature and pH value directly in the composite workpiece were just as exciting as the processes and pilot machines for the production of wood composites.
At the 'wiping table', interested visitors could take a detailed look at the latest results from the LaNDER³ project or see developments in the field of collaborative robots in action at the robot arm. We would like to thank our colleagues at the IPM for providing the demonstrators.
LaNDER³ is already looking to the future, as the second application phase is just around the corner, for which new ideas from the network are being collected.
