The project ran between June 2022 and February 2023.
The project explored the potential of using agricultural residues, specifically hay fibers and crushed oat hulls, for the production of bio-based plastics and composites. Various materials were successfully developed, including high-performance composites using agricultural fibers and both commercial and custom-synthesized thermosetting resins. Thermoplastics blended with fibers were also produced. Techno-economic analysis confirmed that the biomass contains valuable components for bio-based polymer synthesis. While large-scale monomer production requires substantial investment, small-scale synthesis for targeted applications appears viable. The findings highlight opportunities to reduce material costs and develop new business models based on locally sourced agricultural side-streams for use in sustainable materials and furniture-grade applications.
Participants
Papershell and RISE.
Budget
The project’s total budget was 1 MSEK.