AIMPLAS, the plastics technology research centre based in Valencia, Spain, is coordinating the EU-funded FOREST project involving 14 partners from eight counntries aiming to develop competitive and lightweight new multifunctional biocomposites.

The biocomposites will be obtained using one-shot manufacturing techniques involving out-of-autoclave processes to build and test prototypes with improved multifunctional properties such as enhanced mechanical resistance, fire-retardancy and EMI-shielding for transportation applications.

In addition, new chemistries based on high-biobased content for polymers and additives will be developed.

The project, which runs until May 2026, will also explore the recovery of carbon fibre composite waste and the development of new high-quality semi-finished materials from it.

FOREST is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation programme. Partners from Spain, France, Germany Turkey, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic and the UK are Airbus Atlantic Composites, Angaz Tech, Arkema, BASF, Bitrez, Clariant, CRF, Fenix TNT, Fraunhofer, Gen2 Carbon, IRT Jules Verne, MBHA and Mercedes.

www.aimplas.es