Project: Hochdichte flexible BIO-Faserplatte
Project Type: Research-Industrial Technology Transfer Project Grant
Funding Body:  University of Stuttgart
Role: Principle Investigator
Period: 2016– 2018

Bioflexi is a flexible, high-density fibreboard made of annually renewable raw materials consisting of up to 90 % of annually renewable natural fibres like wheat-, maize-, rice-, oat-, barley- or rye straw. In case of applying rice straw, the fibreboards have an extra advantage of having a silicate concentration of up to 20 % of the dry fibre weight. Since silicate is a natural fire-retardant material, higher flame-resistant classifications can be met through adding minimal mineral-based flame retardant-additives.

An eco-friendly thermoplastic elastomer is used as a binder. At the end of its service life, the fibreboard may be also recycled or composted. This indicates that waste is hereby prevented twice: once during the production by using agricultural by-products and the second time by having the possibility of composting the product at the end of its life-cycle, in case recycling was not feasible.

Another unique feature which sets this invention apart from conventional fibreboards, is the board’s high flexibility, which makes it the ideal solution for designing free-form furniture and interior spaces. Based on proven production methods, the boards are shaped as desired and then fixed by veneer-layers. Due to the low raw material costs involved, this invention provides an attractive alternative for architectural free-form applications. In addition, the board is suitable for planar applications as well especially for sport halls flooring systems and for cushioning purposes.

This invention is a current pending european (EP 2965882 A1) and international patent (Patent Number: WO/2016/005026)