BioBase - Development of biobased alternatives from already available resources for textile applications with competitive costs and properties

Fibres and textiles are used in the four key textile sectors of technical textiles, sports textiles, automotive and interiors. In 2019, global fibre production amounted to more than 110 million tonnes. Of these, 72% are man-made fibres, which are produced on the basis of natural or synthetic polymers (plastics). A central problem in the production of man-made fibres based on synthetic polymers is the dependence on fossil raw materials, which are subject to various ecological and, in the long term, economic and political risks due to their finite nature. Polymers based on renewable raw materials could represent an alternative. The aim of the BioBase project was to establish bio-based polymers in the textile industry and to demonstrate their full potential. The four key sectors of the textile industry in Germany - automotive, sportswear, interiors and technical textiles - were selected so that this could be carried out in a targeted manner. In every industry, a petroleum-based product should be replaced by a product made from biopolymers with equivalent properties.

As part of the BioBase project, the entire textile value chain of the respective products is analysed. In each process step, the technological maturity level for the industrial production of bio-based and sustainable man-made fibres is gradually increased. The aim is to achieve a technological leap from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 to TRL 6 - 7. The polymers, yarns and textile surfaces will be developed in an application-orientated manner and with regard to the technical requirements of the industries. In cooperation between the research institutions and industrial partners, industrially produced demonstrators will be created that will act as a beacon for the German bioeconomy and demonstrate the potential of the bio-based polymers available on the market. Within the project, further research and development potential for the BioTexFuture innovation area will be identified. These can be realised in further sub-projects of the innovation area.

Results:

The aim of developing bio-based alternatives from already available resources for textile applications and properties was successfully realised for key sectors of the textile industry in Germany (sports, interior and automotive textiles) as part of the BioBase project by recreating established, petroleum-based benchmark products made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or recycled PET using the biopolymers PA 4.10, PA 5.10, PA 10.10 and PA 12. The textile value chain from polymer to textile surface was successfully traversed. An overview of the project results can be found in the sample catalogue, which is available for download on the project homepage. (https://biotexfuture.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Musterkatalog-Biobase.pdf)

Funding program and project number

Innovation space: BioTexFuture
Funding reference: 031B0958F

Duration

01.12.2020 – 29.02.2024