Focussed mainly on bio-based materials in automotive engineering, the international meeting will debut at the Exhibition Centre Stuttgart on 24 and 25 September as part of COMPOSITES EUROPE 2015. The conference will be organised jointly by bioplastics MAGAZINE and the nova-Institute in cooperation with trade fair organiser Reed Exhibitions and the German Federation for Reinforced Plastics (AVK). The event is further supported by the Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V. (FNR).
The bio!CAR conference is aimed at reflecting the trend towards using bio-based polymers and natural fibres in the automotive industry: more and more manufacturers and suppliers are betting on bio-based alternatives derived from renewable raw materials such as wood, cotton, flax, jute or coir, all of which are being deployed as composites in the interior trims of high-quality doors and dashboards. According to the Hürth-based nova-Institut, the European car industry most recently (2012) processed approximately 80,000 tonnes of wood and natural fibres into composites. The total volume of bio-based composites in automotive engineering was 150,000 tonnes.
Bioplastics are equally useful for premium applications in the auto sector. Bio-based polyamides from castor oil are used in high-performance components, polylactic acid (PLA) in door panels, soy-based foams in seat cushions and arm rests, and bio-based epoxy resins in composites. In May, the nova-Institut published an updated market study on bio-based polymers and their worldwide deployment.
At bio!CAR, experts from all segments touching on bio-based materials will present lectures on their latest developments. Among other materials, the portfolio will include conventional plastics filled or reinforced with sophisticated natural-fibre products as well as bio-based, so called “drop-in” bioplastics, such as castor oil-based polyamides or polyolefins from sugar cane-based bioethanol. Novel bioplastics such as PLA or PTT will also be featured, as will duromer resins from renewable resources and bio-based alternatives for rubber and elastomers.
The 2 full-day-conference will be held on the 24th and 25th of September 2015 in Stuttgart, Germany
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