CHAMPION

Circular High-performance Aza-Michael Polymers as Innovative materials Originating from Nature.

Term of this project: June 1st, 2020 –November 30th, 2023.

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Contact

Mr. Steven Verstichel
steven.verstichel@normecgroup.com

Project

The objective of CHAMPION is to develop and demonstrate that novel bio-based polymers can be efficiently synthesised and applied in high-performance applications, beyond plastics, where the current petrochemical-derived materials are not fully fit for purpose. Technologies to be developed in CHAMPION include the reductive amination of bio-based chemicals to create novel sustainable diamine monomers, application of aza-Michael chemistry onto fully bio-derivable polymers, and bio-based unsaturated polyesters from secondary alcohol diols on a kilogram scale. The new materials will be specifically circular by design and assessed as such, thus making them superior to current materials by ensuring that (chemical) recyclability or biodegradability are possible. Applications will be tested by four relevant industry end-users in the coatings, textiles, home care formulation, and structural adhesives sectors. Up to 12 bio-based materials will be subject to advanced performance testing after preliminary screenings of many more candidates.

The toxicity of materials, their precursors, and break-down products (e.g. during biodegradation) will be evaluated, as well as the environmental, economic, and social impact of the new bio-based value chains these materials create (safe by design). A cradle-to-grave sustainability assessment will use the benchmarks set by commercial products to quantify performance, resource efficiency, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The producers of two bio-based chemical intermediates in the consortium will form new cross-sector interconnections with the four end-users creating increased business and job opportunities. Dissemination and exploitation of results will be conducted to establish the basis of new value chains and inform Standards fit for describing new applications of biobased products. At least two bio-based materials are targeted to reach TRL 5, with others in the pipeline for further development as part of the legacy of the project.

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF YORK (United Kingdom)

Tasks of Normec OWS

  • Work package 7 leader
  • Examine the biodegradation of the developed compounds in different environments in order to define biological End-of-Life options and impact of accidental spill
  • Investigate the suitability of organic recycling by anaerobic digestion and/or composting

Partners

UNIVERSITY OF YORK (United Kingdom), STICHTING WAGENINGEN RESEARCH (Netherlands), BioDetection Systems B.V. (Netherlands), Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy (Finland), PROCESS DESING CENTER BV (Netherlands), Normec OWS (Belgium), CIRCA SUSTAINABLE CHEMICALS LIMITED (United Kingdom), UNILEVER U.K. CENTRAL RESOURCES LIMITED (United Kingdom), NOVA-UNSTITUT FUR POLITISCHE UND OKOLOGISCHE INNOVATION GMBH (Germany), AVA BIOCHEM BSL AG (Switzerland), STAHL INTERNATIONAL BV (Netherlands), ORINEO BVBA (Belgium), SQ CONSULT B.V. (Netherlands), Scott Bader Co Ltd (United Kingdom)

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This project has received funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking (JU) under grant agreement No 887398. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the Bio Based Industries Consortium.

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