Flipts & Dobbels, a member of The Alliance for European Flax-Linen and Hemp based in Roeselare, Belgium, has played an integral role within the EU Horizon 2020-funded VIBES project aimed at improving the recyclability of thermoset composites.

Consortium members initially focused on the controlled separation and recovery of composite material components with customised, 100% bio-based bonding materials validated for optimum performance/cost ratio for applications in the aerospace, construction and marine industries.  

A recent breakthrough has seen the successful infusion of a carbon and natural fibre panel made with Flipts & Dobbels Flaxco flax reinforcements, lignin-based carbon fibres and a bisphenol-free epoxy resin.

Materials specialist Juno Composites based in Ireland has further explored the impact of moisture content in natural flax textiles on mechanical performance. This research emphasises the need for relying on the technical know-how of flax reinforcement manufacturers.

“The VIBES project has demonstrated that to fully realise the potential of flax fibres in performance composite applications, all aspects of the entire flax fibre production process, from seed selection to textile manufacturing, should be considered,” says Caroline Flipts of Flipts & Dobbels. “With more than a hundred years experience of working with flax, our company is proud to support the continuous improvements delivered by the VIBES project.”

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