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BRPR-97-0490
BIOFLAX Title: Merging technologies from cell-wall biochemistry and advanced enzymology for high added value flax fibres |
| Contract No: | BRPR-97-0490 |
| Project Type: | CSC (Cost-sharing contracts) |
| Start Date: | 01-11-1997 |
| Duration: | 36 months |
| Total Cost: | EUR |
| EC Contribution: | EUR |
| Scientific Officer: | Odile Demuth |
Abstract
This proposal aims to develop outlets for biodegradable flax fibres in the European textile and automotive sectors, on the one hand increasing its use in clothing and hosiery by 15 % and on the other hand, in response to international directives, contributing to the production of completely recyclable vehicles. Both of these goals necessitate optimisation of the mechanical properties of flax fibres. First, the textile industry would like flax fibres with the suppleness and crease recovery of cotton (remained angle on fabrics 60 to 180, yarn rigidity index: 34 to 5). Second, the automotive field needs natural fibres with tensile module comparable with glass or aranud fibres (i.e. 60 to 90 Gpa).
These requirements can be met by flax fibres as they exist within the plant but current chemical and mechanical processes do not allow the mechanical potential of native flax fibres to be transferred to the finished product.
The assessment of knowledge in cell-wall biochemistry and development of innovative enzymatic treatment will allow flax fibres to be prepared in close to their native state by selective hydrolysis of non-cellulosic polymers in two ways:
A fundamental requirement is to connect the technical quality of the fibre (suppleness, strength, and elasticity) with its technical structure to modify efficiently the polymer-composite matrix. An appropriate European assembly of centres of scientific and technological excellence was necessary to reach this threshold of basic knowledge in the most efficient way. The French partner was selected for its historic competence on cell-wall metabolism of flax. The Belgian partner is a specialised group in industrial microbiology. The Scottish partner is the leading academic laboratory using solid -state NMR to link the mechanical properties of biomaterials with their structure. The co-ordinator (partner 1) and other research partner are R&D organisations with great experience of transferring scientific and technical know-how to industry. Other industrial partners include a French enzyme supplier, and an Italian spinner that is a world leader in the linen sector and are interested in increasing the use of biotechnological process applied to flax fibres.
The results will be capable of exploitation by enzyme manufacturers, wet spinners and end users of flax products. The industrial partners and R&D organisations will be responsible for promoting the expected new products to industry.
The long term objectives of this proposal derive from areas 1.2.1 and 2.1.3 of the BRITE EURAM III program. It takes account of, on one hand, the assessment of new biotechnological processing methods and on the other hand, the development and scaling up of innovative treatments for fibre materials emerging from basic biochemistry and enzymology.
Contacts
Coordinator
Participant
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