For further information contact project coordinator:
@libre2020
Funding bodies Lignin Based Carbon Fibres for Composites
Project funded by the BioBased Industries Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme grant
agreement no. 720707
Coordinator
Partners
LIBRE Project Partners
BernalInstitute
Achievements
LIBRE technology enables orientation of the lignin precursor fibre increasing its mechanical performance. The carbon yield of lignin is >45 wt.-% being very similar to PAN precursor. This technology allows production of carbon fibres with higher density and improved mechanical performance. Mechanical properties beyond the state of the art [2.0 GPa tensile strength and 180 GPa modulus]. This is at TRL 5.
Atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) sources are more attractive for industrial application due to lower investment cost and higher treatment capability. App treatment of CF has been successfully applied during LIBRE to modify surface properties and to improve adhesion of the CF to polymers. This has been developed to TRL 4.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
PA and lignin CAB and lignin TPU and lignin PAN
€/kg
ligni
n ca
rbon
fibe
r
Lignin Polymer Compounding Pelletizing Spinning Carbon fiber production
Textile grade PAN lowest
Convnetional PAN
Textile grade PAN Highest
The LCA carried out within the LIBRE project has shown a clear energy and environmental benefits compared to the current carbon fibre production based on PAN.
3 patents.
9 papers published
5 journal papers in preparation
13 conference contributions
6 invited presentations
8 press releases
What is LIBRE?
LIBRE is utilising lignin rich side streams from European biorefineries as carbon source materials. This new fully bio-based feedstock will allow European producers to rely less on imported precursors and imported carbon fibre (CF), thereby securing a sustainable, indigenous, European CF manufacturing base not reliant on petrochemical based precursor materials.
Between 40 and 50 million tons of lignin are produced worldwide per year; while some is being used for low- and medium-value applications (e.g. binding and dispersing agents in materials such as cement and bio-based leather substitutes most is currently treated as a non-commercialized waste product or a low value fuel to produce energy - representing a market value of roughly $730 million). LIBRE is going beyond the state of the art by producing CF from lignin precursor materials utilising conventional and newly developed energy efficient, dry and waste-free processing and pretreatment techniques
Thereby producing cheaper and sustainable CF which will be in greater demand than current impressive forecasts for automotive, aircraft interior and energy applications.
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Schematic
Lignin and Biopolymer Blend
Modelling
Spinning
Upscale Spinning
CarbonisationSurface treatment
Carbon Fibre
Composite
Demonstrators
THE LIBRE PROCESS
Libre stabilization and carbonization processes are developed through the understanding of the thermal transitions and viscoelastic behaviour of blends developed within the project. LIBRE is developing pathways for carbon fibre production by microwave heating via microwave susceptors capable to carbonise precursors fibres. This will allow a substantial reduction in cost and carbon footprint associated with carbon fibre production increasing the overall sustainability of the production process. This is at TRL 5.
The LIBRE consortium has developed breakthrough technology to produce large spools of lignin-based precursor fibres at semi-industrial scale through blending with bio-based polymers such as: PA, TPUs and CAB allowing melt spinning thereby reducing cost and environmental impact. This is at TRL 5.
Successful thermal conversion of precursorfibres and first ever scaling of lignin based CF
Achievements
Successful spinning of lignin-based precursor fibres
Effective crosslinking technology to improve processability and carbon phase
Novel surface treatments for carbon fibres
Life cycle analysis (LCA)
Output to date 20/03/2020
orange = polymer
green = processing
