Circular economy and sustainability area
R&D OF CUSTOMISATION TECHNIQUES FOR LEATHER-LIKE VEGAN BIOMATERIALS
CUSTOM BIO
Motivations
On the one hand, the market for biogenic and synthetic alternative materials to leather is growing, with the aim of replacing animal-based materials with vegan solutions. There is also a clear trend to replace petrochemical-based raw materials with those sourced from biological and renewable sources.
On the other, leather alternatives usually have characteristic colours of similar shades. This project aims to work on different sustainable processes to modify and extend the range of colours and textures available from these new materials.
This is the background to the CUSTOM BIO project.
Objectives
Development of new alternative materials to conventional leather centred on the revalorisation of agri-food waste and the development of new processes to create different textures and colours on the substitute-leather materials developed. The solutions developed by the project will be aimed at the textile sector, specifically upholstery and fashion-accessories.
Specific technical objectives:
- Bibliographic study on biofabrication of materials from agri-food waste.
- Bibliographic study on new sustainable finishing processes for leather alternatives.
- Obtaining bacterial cellulose biomaterials with enhanced mechanical properties and new texturised finishes.
- To create coating biomaterials from agri-food waste and with innovative finishes.
- To create a wide range of materials with different textures and a wide range of colours. Implementation of sustainable finishing techniques: flexography, lamination, coating, stamping, etc.
- Characterisation of the sectors targeted by the project. Physico-chemical, mechanical and functional characterisation.
- The production of technical samples: processing data, physical-mechanical characteristics, etc.
- To create prototype finished products for target sectors.
- To perform a product evaluation study to assess the economic and environmental impact.
Value and competitive advantage
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Materials, procedures, and treatments applied in the formulation of natural origin.
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Ecological components and great versatility in terms of finishes, color, texture, engraving, etc.
Results obtained
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Research on surfactants, chelating agents, preservatives, opacifiers, and probiotics.
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Development and activation of HSC formulas.
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Characterization and efficacy evaluation of HSC formulas.
Grant number: IMAMCA/2023/6
Programme: Plan of non-economic activities 2023
Period of execution: January 2023 – December 2023
Status: Finished
More information: PLAN OF ACTION
Entity: IVACE
This project is funded by the Conselleria d’Economia Sostenible, Sectors Productius, Comerç i Treball de la Generalitat Valenciana, through IVACE.
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ÁREAS DE I+D
Nuevos materiales de altas prestaciones y funcionalizados
Economía circular y sostenibilidad
Fabricación avanzada, textiles inteligentes y digitalización
Soluciones de alto valor añadido para mercados estratégicos
PROYECTOS RELACIONADOS
NOTICIAS
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