High performance composite panels from renewable, bio-based polymers

EconCore is proud to present the first 100% bio-based composite panel. Recently EconCore has optimized the patented ThermHex production technology to produce honeycomb cores and sandwich panels made from bio-based plastics. “Today, the exploitation of the economical advantages of weight reduction has become essential for many industries,” says François de Bie, EconCore head of sales and marketing. “Bio-based polymer materials are still relatively expensive compared to for example PP alternatives which has limited the use of these materials in structural applications. Bio-based sandwich panels can be used in for example re-usable packaging, furniture, automotive interiors or separation walls.”
By combining our cost efficient production technology with renewable materials, EconCore is able to present a sandwich panel that has excellent mechanical properties, while still being cost competitive to traditional sheet materials.
“The last 6 months EconCore has optimized the production technology to produce PLA based hexagonal honeycomb cores using a continuous production process. Only moments after the core is produced skin layers are added in a second step of the continuous production process.” These skins could be made from unfilled PLA material to make a mono material panel or, in case a higher performance is required, could be replaced with consolidated flax in a PLA matrix.
Poly-Lactic Acid (PLA) is a biopolymer used to make for example packaging, consumer goods and furniture and is derived from renewable resources instead of oil. A biopolymer offers more disposal options and is more environmentally friendly to manufacture than traditional petroleum-based plastics. Derived from 100% annually renewable resources such as plants, PLA generates significantly less greenhouse gas emissions over the life time when compared to traditional materials like PP.