Business from technology

Natural materials

Competence

Approximately 100 specialists at VTT are using their knowledge and passion in development of natural (biomass-based) material solutions for various industrial sectors and applications. VTT is utilizing its unique, wide, and long experience and knowledge of biomass-based materials and cooperation with industrial and research partners in material and process development covering the whole value chain from biomass-based polymers, natural fibres, and additives to biocomposites, products, and novel processing technologies.

Challenges

The main challenges to be overcome with natural materials are improved material performance, efficient process technologies and scaling up of the materials and processing technologies.

• Development of durable, high-performance biomass-based materials to meet the requirements of the products
  
• Development of processes and equipment with improved efficiency
  
• Scaling up processes and production
  
• Utilization of non-food and waste raw materials
  
• Minimisation of the ecological footprint
  

Solutions

Natural materials are offering solutions for sustainable material development and for minimising of the ecological footprint. Research at VTT covers application-driven material and process development, starting from the selection of raw materials, design and modelling, and LCA analysis and ending up with sustainable, high performance materials and products. Natural material research covers:

• Biopolymers, bioplastics (thermoplastics and thermosets), and biofoams
  
• Natural fibres like wood, cellulose, hemp, flax, and other agro fibres from nano to macro scale, and fibre treatments and modifications
  
• Selection and optimisation of essential additives according to application and performance requirements
  
• Development of biocomposites, natural fibre composites, WPC, and processing technologies such as polymerisation, compounding, blending, extrusion, and injection moulding
  
• Optimisation of the compatibility between polymers and fibres
  
• Increasing, functionality and intelligence