Bionics Innovation Center of the Bremen University of Applied Sciences and the Bremen shipyard GREENBOATS develop innovative lightweight construction materials
(Bremen, 03.12.21) The demand for products made from sustainable fiber composites in the mobility sector is growing steadily, with the consequence that fiber composites in this sector will become more and more relevant in the future. Composites made from natural fiber-reinforced and bio-based plastics can be an ecological alternative to glass-fiber-reinforced, petrochemical composite materials. In order to make this sustainable alternative broadly competitive and thus achieve significant environmental relief effects, the next step in the direction of industrial series production is necessary. As part of the project “Sustainable, CO2-optimized lightweight composite materials for mobile applications”, the Bremen shipyard GREENBOATS and the Biological Materials working group of Prof. Dr. Jörg Müssig at the Bionics Innovation Center (B-I-C) at the University of Bremen developing innovative lightweight materials for mobile applications. The project is funded by Bremer Aufbaubank GmbH – BAB – with funds from REACT EU Development Aid.
“On the basis of a long and very good cooperation, we want to combine the research and development work at the University of Bremen with innovation impulses and the production knowledge of our company and develop new products such as pickup cabins for expedition camping vehicles,” says Friedrich Deimann, Managing Director and founder of the Bremen company GREENBOATS. Paul Riesen, responsible for research and development at GREENBOATS, adds: “Our experience with the Green Bente boat concept and the development of a ‘Daysailer’ show that innovative bio-based materials have great potential in the area of water sports. This potential now needs to be expanded to other market segments. “
This requires further developments and advances such as process technology in a scaled production of panel materials, component design, and material selection. In addition, extensive test series for different fiber and resin types by the University of Bremen and GREENBOATS are required in order to be able to better reconcile the three variables of performance, costs, and sustainability.
“Working directly with GREENBOATS is very enriching. We are pleased to be able to show the sustainability and the possible uses of natural fiber composites in extremely demanding applications, ”reports Jörg Müssig. His working group deals with a wide variety of topics relating to bio-based and bionic materials.
Borco Höhns will be supporting the project as an associated partner. The company is the leading manufacturer of Market Sales Vehicles. “What makes this cooperation so special is that Borco understands that implementing our technologies does not happen overnight. We first have to control and be able to scale all three dimensions (i.e.: costs, performance, and sustainability). However, it is a worthwhile process that will make their products more competitive in the long run. The management understands the opportunity and fully supports us. This is very special in today’s fast-paced environment” says Jan Paul Schirmer. CO-managing Director of GREENBOATS.
