(266e) Advanced Biocarbons from Sustainable Resources and Their Lightweight Polymer Composite Materials for a Circular Bioeconomy

Lightweight green composites from renewable resources are attracting increased attention from advanced manufacturing sectors. A strong momentum for weight reduction in auto parts without compromising strength and durability is motivated by a need for a better fuel economy, particularly in electric vehicles. To increase renewable content in materials, we use thermo-chemical conversion (pyrolysis) of biomass/agri-food/forestry resources and waste feedstock to overcome the key challenges associated with the use of traditional natural fibres in melt processed biocomposites. The advanced biocarbons have high thermal stability, which broadens their use as reinforcements in a range of plastics - from traditional thermoplastics like polypropylene, polylactic acid (PLA), to engineering thermoplastics such as polyamide. In addition, biocarbons have been also used effectively in composites with various waste plastics. Overall, biocarbon composites can be very effective as one of the enabling strategies towards sustainable materials in advance manufacturing and a circular bioeconomy.

Acknowledgement This study was financially supported by (i) the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)/University of Guelph – Bioeconomy for Industrial Uses Research Program (Project No. 100038); (ii) the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Canada Research Chair (CRC) program Project No. 460788; and the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU), Ontario, Canada Research Fund –Research Excellency, ORF- RE11- 03 (Project Nos. 056106 and 056185).