SeaBioComp final conference
The SeaBioComp Interreg Project invites businesses, stakeholders, research organisations and interested parties to attend the final project conference to discuss, ‘Bio-based composites: are they a solution for the marine environment?’ which will take place at the VLIZ facilities in Oostende (Belgium) and also online on Thursday 19th January 2023, 10.00-14.30 CET.
The live stream of the conference can be viewed at https://bit.ly/VLIZ-SeaBioComp
The conference will present the results of the SeaBioComp project which has developed a number of new bio-based thermoplastic composite materials for use in the marine environment using 3D printing, compression moulding and resin-infusion moulding. In addition the conference will hear from speakers in the bio-based composite value chain on the challenges they face using bio-composites. This highly topical event, will include a networking lunch where delegates can meet with all the partners of the SeaBioComp project as well as all the conference delegates. This event is open to online registrations for those who can't attend in person.
Agenda
9:30 Registration and networking over coffee
10:30 Welcome to the SeaBioComp final conference - Isabelle De Schrijver (Centexbel)
10:35 Introduction to bio-based thermoplastic composites developed by SeaBioComp for the marine environment
- Self-reinforced PLA filaments and fabrics - Elke Demeyer (Centexbel)
- Self-reinforced PLA and flax reinforced PLA nonwovens - Thomas Laurent (CETI)
- Compression moulding of self-reinforced PLA composites - Chung Hae Park (IMT)
- Monomer infusion of flax-reinforced PLA composites - John Summerscales (University of Plymouth)
- Additive manufacturing of flax-reinforced PLA composites - Michiel De Bruijcker (PolyProducts)
11:20 Recycling of developed materials - Elke Demeyer (Centexbel), Thomas Laurent (CETI) & Chung Hae Park (IMT)
11:40 Characterisation of the materials including:
- Mechanical tests / UV degradation - Hom Dhakal (University of Portsmouth)
- Seawater ageing - Peter Davies (IFREMER)
- Microplastic formation and ecotoxicological effects - Gert Everaert (VLIZ)
12:10 Commercialisation opportunities for SeaBioComp biocomposites - Jonathan Williams (MSE International) via video link
12:25 Q&A session - facilitated by Centexbel & project leaders
12:40 Networking lunch
13:20 Industrial partners using biocomposites in practice
- Flax catamaran from the Flower Project - Erwan Grossman (Kairos) via video link (tbc)
- Merconcept: reducing their environmental impact - Fanny Loos (MerConcept) via video link (tbc)
- Future trends - Philip Easthill (European Boating Industry) (tbc)
14:40 Close of conference | Networking
Registration
To register to attend the conference (both in person or online) please fill out the online registration form.
Travel information
All information on travel and accommodation options has been pooled in this pdf.
Further information
A wealth of technical information regarding the SeaBioComp materials, the manufacturing processes and information on the adaptations required for the 3D printing of biocomposites as well as many more deliverables from the project are available as downloads from the website http://www.seabiocomp.eu/downloads/
SeaBioComp
SeaBioComp is a 42 month project financed by the European Union’s Interreg 2 Seas Mers Zeeën fund. The project has 11 European partners: Centexbel, CETI (European Centre for Innovative Textiles), VLIZ (Flanders Marine Institute), ARMINES (Association for research and development of industrial processing methods), Poly Products, University of Plymouth, University of Portsmouth, Marine South East Ltd, EuraMaterials, IFREMER and REWIN. In addition, the project has 9 Observer Partners.
The partners in the project include research institutions, university research groups, SME’s and specialist cluster organizations. SeaBioComp is led by Centexbel (BE) and combines experts in polymer research, textile and composite formation with marine institutes, sector cluster organisations and public authorities.
