Multifunctional Biophenols For Safe And Recyclable Materials

The BioPhenom project utilizes selected industrial biomass sidestreams for isolation of biophenols by proven technologies, functionalizes the isolated biophenols into intumescent flame retardants (bio-IFRs), and exploits the bio-IFRs as multifunctional components for replacement of harmful chemicals commonly used in formulation and functionality improvement of wood, thermosets, and thermoplastic materials. Impregnation of wood with bio-IFRs will enhance fire resistance and durability for outdoor applications, while a bio-based topcoat will prevent leaching of impregnants and extend service life. The bio-IFRs will be used to produce bio-carbon fibres and bio-epoxy resins formulated with a novel dynamic hardener that allows resin disintegration, thus producing fire resistant and recyclable thermoset biocomposites. The bio-IFRs will also be added to thermoplastic polylactic acid (PLA)-biochar composites to enhance fire resistance. The most promising applications of the materials developed will be scoped within relevant industrial sectors (e.g., building, transportation, automotive), and their functionality and circularity validated against existing benchmarks. Circularity will be demonstrated by recycling the treated wood into particleboards, recovering the thermoset components for reuse, and reformulating the PLA-based thermoplastics into new biocomposites. Process and material developments in BioPhenom are guided by Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) principles that are updated with recommendations on identification of data gaps and priorities for data collection. The project data, methodologies, and results will be made FAIR. Ultimately, the outcomes of BioPhenom will enable replacement of harmful substances in material formulations and circularity of end-products, and will increase the portfolio of safe, recyclable, and sustainable bio-based solutions with potential for market uptake, benefiting industry, consumers, and society in Europe.