"Targets for bio-based composites and natural fibres" in the EU.
Targets for bio-based composites and natural fibres
The European Hemp Association (EIHA) welcomes and supports the discussions on targets for different bio-based products, such as bio-polymers, bio-lubricants, and certain chemical building block chemicals, within the Lead Market Initiative (LMI), the Ad-hoc Advisory Group, the EU-RRM Group and the European Association for Bioindustries (EuropaBIO).
However, EIHA wishes to point out that the field of Bio-Composites and Natural Fibres should not be forgotten, but fully integrated within these targets for bio-based products. The implementation of a specific target for Bio-Composites should also be considered: for example, from a technical point of view, more than 30% of fibre reinforcement can be achieved by natural fibres.
Currently at least 315.000 t of Bio-Composites reinforced by natural fibres, are already being used in European Industry, mainly in the automotive and construction sectors. By 2020 this quantity could be more than doubled.
|
Bio-Composites |
Estimated Quantities in the EU 2010 |
Estimated Quantities in the EU 20203 |
|
Compression moulding - with natural fibres like flax, hemp, jute, kenaf, sisal, abaca, coir (> 95% automotive, 5% cases and others)1 - with cotton fibre (automotive, mainly lorries) - with wood fibre (mainly automotive)1 |
40,000 t 100,000 t 50,000 t |
120,000 t 100,000 t 150,000 t |
|
Extrusion and injection moulding - Wood Plastic Composites (WPC) (construction, furniture1, automotive1, consumer goods1) - with natural fibres like flax, hemp, jute, kenaf, sisal, cork (construction, furniture1, automotive1, consumer goods1) |
120,000 t 5,000 t |
360,000 t 100,000 t |
|
Bio-Composites in total |
315,000 t |
830,000 t |
|
Composites in total (glass, carbon and natural fibre-reinforced plastics)2 |
2.4 Mio t |
3.0 Mio t |
|
Bio-based Share |
ca. 13% |
ca. 28% |
Source:
nova-Institut 2010
1:
Suitable for using bio-based plastics as matrix
2:
AVK 2010, Ellis, P. 2010, nova 2010
3:
Estimate for the year 2020, under favourable political framework
In fact, automotive interior parts with natural fibres already today are between 30 and 80% bio-based and bring the added advantage of lightweight construction. Both of these factors would lead to a significant reduction in CO2
emissions in the order of 30% and more, replacing plastics and glass fibre. Using bio-based plastics as a matrix, fully bio-based composites could be achieved with even lower CO2 emissions. Natural fibre can improve the profile of bio-based plastics at low cost and with additional environmental benefits.
The European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) will soon present a Meta-Life Cycle Assessment on Hemp Fibre Bio-Composites to prove their environmental advantages.
Furthermore, the EU Commission is already supporting the development of Bio-Composites by funding research and development. We should point out that currently, in the area of natural fibres, there are important projects on natural fibre modification with enzymes (biotechnology) and ultrasound or plasma treatment to achieve a better compatibility with (bio-)plastics.
ELV Directive: an opportunity to increase the use of bio-based products
Finally, we wish to point out that the ELV Directive1 seems to offer an excellent opportunity to fulfil the bio-based product targets. The Directive states that no later than January 1st
2015, for all end-of life vehicles, the re-use and recovery target will be increased to a minimum of 95% of the average weight per vehicle and year. Within the same time limit, the re-use and recycling will be increased to a minimum of 85% of average weight per vehicle and year.
Something which could easily be implemented and furthermore, would have a high impact on the use of bio-based plastics and composites, would be if the bio-based share of the products could count as “re-used and re-cycled”, independent of their intended route: in other words, even if they go for energy recovery. A justification for this change in classification could be that bio-based materials will only emit green carbon during incineration.
John Hobson, President of the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) and Manager of HempTechnology Ltd (UK)
Michael Carus, Managing Director of the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) and Managing Director of nova-Institute GmbH (Germany)
Huerth (Germany), 25th November 2010
More
information on industrial hemp wanted? Please download the
leaflet:
“European
Hemp Fibre for diverse bio-based
products”
http://www.eiha.org/attach/8/2010_Hemp_Fibres_for_Green_Products_EIHA.pdf
The
European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA)
c/o nova-Institute,
Chemiepark Knapsack, 50354 Hürth, Industriestr. 300 (Germany)
Email: michael.carus at eiha.org, Tel.: +49-(0)2233-48-14 41
1- DIRECTIVE 2000/53/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 18 September 2000 on end-of life vehicles, http://ec.europa.eu/environment/was....
