BIOMAT

BIOMAT is a highly innovative initiative aiming to establish an Open Innovation Test Bed (BIOMAT-TB) for providing services to European industries and SMEs in order to accelerate and facilitate the uptake of innovation in nano-enabled bio-based cellular materials. To this end, ITG will develop a digital twin applied to the manufacturing industry of materials based on biodegradable nanocomponents.

BIOMAT consortium has identified a large demand for nano-enabled bio-polyurethane (bio-PUR) foams, and they have selected three of these targeted markets:

• Building and Construction. Enhance competitiveness and sustainability by developing materials with high heat-insulation capability, improved thermal and mechanical performance, noise insulation, hydrophobic and hydrolysis stability, reduced energy consumption with antifungal and anti-rotting properties. How? With nano-enabled bio-based rigid and semi-rigid polyurethane (PUR) foams from bio-polyols and bio-nanofillers to produce waterproofing lining road tunnels, and molded insulation panels.
• The project paves the way towards highly innovative, safe, and sustainable plastic-based car parts such as seat cushions, headrests, and steering wheel, using the newly developed novel soft and semi-rigid bio-PUR foams. This will further result in reduced cars energy consumption, improved reliability, durability, and reduced life-cycle costs.
• Furniture and Bedding. BIOMAT is developing a new generation of polymer for chairs, sofas, and mattresses based on nano-enabled soft and semi-soft bio-PUR foams, with a structure based on open-cell resulting in increased density, durability, flexibility, strength, fatigue resistance, form stability, air permeability, and body support. These foams are also Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) free.