As part of the EU’s “Circular Bio-based Europe” Joint Undertaking, a new 36-month project has been launched with the goal of establishing an integrated industrial platform dedicated to the design and production of new-generation bio-based composites (BioC). The BIOntier project, running from 2024-2027 with a €8.3 million budget, brings together a consortium of 25 partners from 12 countries. The Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH) research center (Crete, Greece) is project coordinator.

One of BIOntier’s key ambitions is to maximize the environmental and industrial impact of its innovations. To achieve this, the project is committed to optimizing materials manufacturing processes, with the aim of improving the synthesis and stability of composites while reducing their ecological footprint. As part of the project, bio-based composites (at least 95% bio-based) are to be made ready for various applications, offering enhanced properties (e.g., thermal, mechanical, chemical) and functionalities (e.g., corrosion, chemical and fire resistance, hardness and impact resistance, high temperature resistance and structural health monitoring). Starting with material development, through to manufacturing processes, physical tests and an end-of-life strategy, the topics are being considered holistically. Final BIOntier deliverables will target TRL 6 and 7 maturity levels.

BIOntier focuses on six specific use cases (UC) that illustrate the capabilities and adaptability of bio-based composites. These use cases include vehicle components and high-value added industrial equipment:

• UC1: Cockpit dashboard with semi-structural trim for the Jeep Renegade, combining aesthetic design and light weight.
• UC2: Structural impact absorber for the Egea Hatchback model, designed to enhance safety in the event of a collision.
• UC3: Battery pack housing, including top covers and base plate for several models (Jeep Avenger, BMW E-scooter, Lucid), designed to improve battery safety while remaining lightweight.
• UC4: Access panel for the Dawn Aerospace Mk-II Aurora supersonic aircraft, adapted to the thermal and mechanical constraints of aviation.
• UC5: Hive low-pressure hydrogen storage tank, designed to support the hydrogen economy with high resistance.
• UC6: High-pressure tanks for reverse osmosis water filtration, designed to enhance the durability of purification processes.

Applications will be designed to be easy to manufacture, test and recycle, incorporating advanced bio-construction processes that optimize performance and durability.