Sustainable and thermally Amplified Felts and Foams. Innovative Application of reactively extruded biobased nanocomposites - SAFFIA

Project summary

The European transport market calls for multi-functional parts having lightweight benefits based on sustainable raw materials. Insulating foams and felts have come to a limit in their thermal insulating performances developments. In addition, these parts are mainly based on polyurethanes which originate from crude oil and imply toxic isocyanates use. To solve these issues, SAFFIA will develop enhanced thermal insulating parts with environmental and process health benefits. The proposed holistic approach will develop an in situ polymerized nanocomposites composed of biobased non-isocyanate polyurethanes and insulating low density silica-aerogel nanoparticles. Polymerizations and compatibilizations will be conducted in an extruder allowing operating conditions versatility and control over nanoparticle dispersion. The two industrial partners include an automotive producer which will ensure efficient developments from products specifications to TRL6 demonstrators.