Press | Media

In collaboration with industrial partners, researchers at the Fraunhofer WKI have developed a vehicle underbody made from natural fibers and recycled plastics for automotive construction. The component fulfills the stringent technical requirements in the underbody area and could replace conventional lightweight vehicle underbodies in the future. With this development, the climate and environmental balance is optimized throughout the entire product life cycle. The focus at the Fraunhofer WKI was directed at the development of the materials for injection molding as well as the hydrophobization of flax and hemp fibers for natural-fiber-reinforced mixed-fiber non-wovens.

Two research highlights from the Fraunhofer WKI will be on display at the Hannover Messe from the 22^nd to the 26^th of April 2024 in the “Schaufenster Bioökonomie” (Bioeconomy Showcase): thermal-insulation bricks filled with beech-wood fibers and a formaldehyde-free bio-adhesive for the production of wood-based materials. The “Bioeconomy Showcase” is a joint stand operated by Project Management Jülich (PtJ) and the Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e. V. (FNR). Research results from current bio-economy projects funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) will be presented here.

The Fraunhofer WKI will be presenting solutions for lightweight construction using renewable raw materials at the Hannover Messe from the 22^nd to the 26^th of April 2024. A wood-fiber-based molded part demonstrates the potential of lightweight hybrid materials and was produced using an automated molding machine. The process offers possibilities for the precision-fit production of complexly shaped components, furniture or insulation materials. Furthermore, the performance capabilities of renewable raw materials will be demonstrated with a ceiling system module on the basis of wood foam. The module can be utilized for the renovation of suspended ceilings in old buildings. The mosaic-like coffered ceilings exhibit a load-bearing capacity comparable to reinforced concrete, but are significantly lighter. The innovations can be seen on the Fraunhofer stand (Hall 2, Stand B24).

From raw materials to recycling - at the Hannover Messe from the 22^nd to the 26^th of April 2024, the Fraunhofer WKI will be presenting new application possibilities for renewable raw materials at the Fraunhofer joint stand (Hall 2, Stand B24). The examples range from a wooden crash barrier for road traffic through to sustainable concrete construction materials made from residual materials. They demonstrate the potential of renewable raw materials for the circular economy.

For the company Modvion AB in Gothenburg, researchers from the Fraunhofer WKI accompanied the bonding of the first wooden tower for commercial wind turbines on the construction site and advised the company on complex bonding processes. The so-called "Wind of Change Tower" of the energy provider Varberg Energi AB was inaugurated on 4 March 2024.

Is „bio“ always better? In the 19^th episode of the science podcast series „Forsch!“, Dr. Tobias Robert, scientist at the Fraunhofer WKI, talks about his research into bio-based polymer binders. Polymer binders are produced in similar quantities to plastics. They can be used to produce not only adhesives, but also coatings, printing inks, reactive resins, 3D printing materials and many other products.

As of 1^st March 2024, Dr. Steven Eschig has taken over the management of the “Binders and Coatings” department at the Fraunhofer WKI. The chemist, who had already worked as a research associate at the Fraunhofer WKI, aims to further develop bio-based adhesives, coatings, flame retardants and other chemical products through interdisciplinary collaboration with industry and research partners. Dr. Steven Eschig succeeds Dr. Frauke Bunzel, who had been in charge of the department since December 2018.

Within an interdisciplinary project in collaboration with partners, researchers from the Fraunhofer WKI have investigated the quality of softwood from differing silvicultural systems. The aim of the project was to improve the supply situation for the construction industry in view of climate change. From the results, recommendations for new plantations can be derived in order to specifically optimize wood quality and wood yield. Researchers at the Fraunhofer WKI addressed the visual sorting of softwood and determined that application-oriented sorting based on product requirements – and, consequently, more efficient use of wood resources – is possible in dependence on silvicultural parameters. A re-evaluation of various visual criteria can be advantageous.

When it comes to sustainable development, the construction industry faces great challenges. In the ReMatBuilt project, experts from the Fraunhofer WKI and their partners are proving that the tasks associated with this can be solved with high-performance construction materials made of recycled and waste materials. They will be presenting their solutions to specialist audiences at the Hannover Messe Preview on February 21, 2024.

On 8 February 2024, the kick-off event for the new mentoring programme of the Fraunhofer WKI took place in Bratislava at the Slovak Centre of Scientific and Technical Information. The aim of the "Upgrade of the Centre of Excellence LignoSilva" project, which is funded by the European Union, is to strengthen scientific excellence and international research contacts. The Fraunhofer WKI will act as a mentor in the coming years.