Really cooking: CelluComp’s technology is turning carrots into biocomposites, which then are used to make fishing rods, but there are numerous other applications for this innovative material
Fabric of life
Research by the university is helping lay the foundations for one company to produce new ‘green’ materials
A small Scottish company that produces high-performance biocomposite materials from sustainable sources, is working with an expert in plant cell wall biochemistry from the University’s School of Biological Sciences to improve its manufacturing process to create materials with strengths greater than glass fibre.
CelluComp Ltd has developed a process that breaks down the cellulose in plant- derived biocomposite materials, such as root vegetables, into micro-fibrils then combines it with a range of resins to create natural cellulose biocomposite materials from sustainable sources. The company’s major challenge was the variability in the performance of the resins – some are much more efficient binders of the fibrils than others, but it is not known why. CelluComp contacted the University to identify a suitable academic to help the company understand the binding process of resins, identify which resins will work best and thus reduce variability of the biocomposite production process. Edinburgh Research and Innovation’s Consultancy Office identified Professor
Stephen Fry, Professor of Plant Biochemistry in the School of Biological Sciences, as the ideal expert to help the company with this problem. ERI also assisted with an application for funding to the Scottish Funding Council’s Innovation Voucher Scheme, which provides financial support to small firms looking to access the world-class expertise and analytical testing facilities available within universities. Professor Fry has a unique tool box of assays and reagents for examining the biological materials that make up plants.
“Initial work will enable CelluComp to understand the biochemical
properties of base materials”
Using these tools, he carried out a series of preliminary analytical tests to characterise the chemical and biological properties of the nanocellulose fibres, which impact upon the breakdown and composite development processes. For CelluComp, this initial
characterisation work will enable it to understand the biochemical properties of the base material and how it interacts with different resins. This will determine which resins will work best to produce more consistent and robust biocomposites and thereby improve the biocomposite production process and product range. In time, it may also enable the creation of ‘greener’ products by enabling use of more naturally derived resins as opposed to the chemical ones used at present. Dr Eric Whale, Managing Director of CelluComp, said: “We have found the process of applying for and working with ERI, the University and Professor Fry through the innovation voucher scheme an extremely beneficial experience. We hope to work with Professor Fry and the University on future projects.”
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