BELCEL
Biotechnological Enzymatic Modification of Lignocellulosic Natural Fibres
| Programm / Ausschreibung | Produktion der Zukunft, Produktion der Zukunft, 32. AS PdZ - Nationale Projekte 2019 | Status | abgeschlossen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Projektstart | 01.04.2020 | Projektende | 29.09.2023 |
| Zeitraum | 2020 - 2023 | Projektlaufzeit | 42 Monate |
| Keywords | Biotechnology, Process development, Enzymes, Natural fibres, Bio resources, Fibre modification | ||
Projektbeschreibung
Die Textilindustrie ist eine der vielfältigsten und am schnellsten wachsenden Branchen weltweit. Angesichts der starken Nachfrage in der biobasierten Wirtschaft und der nachhaltigen Entwicklung wird davon ausgegangen, dass die Verwendung von Naturfasern einen wesentlichen Beitrag zur Verbesserung der Ökoeffizienz leistet. Im Gegensatz zu Baumwolle, einer Saatgutfaser mit erheblichen Umweltbedenken wie Wasserknappheit, Umweltverschmutzung und Wasserverschmutzung, bieten natürliche Lignocellulosefasern, die aus Pflanzenstängeln wie Flachs und Hanf gewonnen werden, alternative, umweltfreundliche Ressourcen für Rohstoffe für unterschiedlichste Anwendungen in der Textilindustrie.
Hauptziel des Forschungsvorhabens ist die Entwicklung eines auf Basis von Enzymen biotechnologischen Modifizierungsverfahrens für natürliche Lignocellulosefasern. Das Forschungsvorhaben stellt daher die Entwicklung einer umweltfreundlichen Modifizierungsmethode für europäische biobasierte natürliche Fasern dar. Die Technologie wird erheblich dazu beitragen, das Problem mit der Faserweichheit und Verarbeitbarkeit von Lignocellulosefasern zu lösen.
Das Projekt wird einen wesentlichen Beitrag zum nachhaltigen Wachstum des europäischen Marktes für biobasierte Naturfasern leisten und die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit von Lignocellulosefasern gegenüber synthetischen Fasern auf Baumwoll- und Petro-Basis erhöhen. Es wird dazu beitragen, die Umweltbelastung zu verringern, die Kosten zu senken, die natürlichen Ressourcen zu schonen und maßgeschneiderte Produkte bereitzustellen, um die Lebensqualität der Menschen zu verbessern.
Abstract
The textile industry is one of the most diverse and fastest growing industries around the globe. Considering the strong demand in bio-based economy and sustainable developments, the usage of natural fibres is considered to make significant contributions to the enhanced eco-efficiency of textile industry. In contrast to cotton, a seed fibre with significant environmental concerns such as water scarcity, pollution and water contamination, natural lignocellulosic fibres derived from stem of plants such as flax and hemp offer alternative, environmental friendly resources for commodity and advanced textile applications.
The overall objective of the project proposal is to develop a biotechnological enzyme-based modification process for natural lignocellulose stem fibres. Thus, the proposal represents the development of an eco-friendly modification method for European bio-based natural lignocellulosic fibres. The technology will significantly contribute to debottleneck the issue with the fibre softness and processability of stem fibre.
The project will contribute substantially to the sustainable growth of European bio-based natural fibre market, making lignocellulosic fibres more competitive to cotton and petro-based synthetic fibres. It will contribute to reducing the pollution load, decreasing costs, conserving natural resources, and delivering tailor-made products to enhance the quality of human life.
Endberichtkurzfassung
The overall objective of the project proposal is to develop a biotechnological enzyme-based modification process for natural lignocellulose stem fibres (e.g. flax and hemp).
The project provided basic understanding of the relationship between enzymatic modification, fibre structure formation, processability and application related properties in order to deliver a bio-based process to achieve well controlled structure and properties of lignocellulose fibres. The research work focused on the process development and optimisation of biotechnological enzyme-based modification using eco-friendly process under mild processing conditions (pH<=8). Further, the treatment was optimised to control the modification degree of hemp and flax fibers, making the fibers suitable for existing textile processing processes. On the other hand, the project also targeted eco-friendly high performance fibre ropes and high performance fibre composites.
Over the project duration, an enzyme cocktail and treatment parameters were developed being capable to hydrolyse lignin in hemp and flax fibres. The process could be successfully transferred upscaled from lab (ml) to pilot scale (20l).
In addition, an alternative green chemical delignification process has been successfully developed with significant shorter hydrolysis time. The alternative process could also successfully be upscaled.
By utilising both technologies, the lignin content in hemp and flax fibres can be reduced by more than half, leading to fibre bundles with smaller fibre dimensions. In a mixture with native cotton, delignified flax can be spun into a yarn using the standard spinning technology.
With regards to technical applications, long fibre composites based on the tailored fibre placement techniques could be developed with improved impact resistance. Furthermore, short fibre reinforced elastic composites with improved damping behaviour are developed showing potential to be utilised in sportswear.