The Queensland-Germany Bioeconomy Collaborative Science Program brings together Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Leibniz University of Hannover (LUH), Queensland industry partners, Licella, Far Northern Milling and Lextra; and German industry partners Grammer and Vaude.
Queensland project leader Dr Lalehvash Moghaddam, from QUT’s School of Chemistry and Physics and the Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, said agricultural by-products had substantial potential for high-value and sustainable bio-based materials production.
“This project will leverage QUT’s expertise in agricultural value-adding and Queensland industry partners Licella’s thermal up-cycling of biomass (CAT-HTR) and Lextra’s expertise in bio-based polyurethane (Bio-PUR), to convert agricultural by-products into precursors for Bio-PUR,” Dr Moghaddam said.
“The Queensland team will use their analytical and processing knowledge to characterise sugarcane waste (bagasse)-derived bio-oils to produce Bio-PUR precursors with the best properties.”
Dr Moghaddam said this bio-oil would be sent to the German team to develop innovative, flexible Bio-PUR foams and products.
“The LUH researcher, in collaboration with the firms Grammer and Vaude, will convert these precursors into ready-to-use flexible BIO-PUR foams and prototype products,” she said.
“This project will enhance knowledge exchange and complementary expertise between Queensland and Germany.
“It will transform our agriculture and manufacturing and Germany’s automotive and outdoor industries with readily available, bio-based alternatives to fossil-based materials produced and manufactured for export in Queensland.”
Professor Hans-Josef Endres, director of LUH’s IKK-Institute of Plastics and Circular Economy, said the project’s sustainable materials could effectively replace traditional automotive and outdoor components without compromising quality or safety.
“This research collaboration would drive economic growth and job creation in Queensland and Germany and educate the next generation of bioeconomy leaders,” Professor Endres said.
“Germany is renowned for high-quality engineering precision and innovation and is one of the global leaders of automotive manufacturers,” Professor Endres said.
“Flexible polyurethane foams are used in car seats, interiors, dashboards and other components.
“The development of more efficient and high-quality, bio-based materials incentivises further investments in the sector, leading to increased productivity, competitiveness, and profitability.”
LUH IKK head of sustainability assessment Mr Sebastian Spierling said there was significant environmental potential in the new Bio-PUR, if produced efficiently.
“This means the new materials can contribute to reducing the industries’ environmental footprint,” Mr Spierling said.
The project is supported by funding from the Queensland Government and the German Federal Government (Federal Ministry of Education and Research).
The QUT research team comprises Dr Lalehvash Moghaddam, Professor Leonie Barner, from QUT’s School of Chemistry and Physics and Professor Ian O’Hara, QUT’s Faculty of Engineering.
The LUH research team includes Professor Hans-Josef Endres, Mr Sebastian Spierling, Mr Can Soenmez, Mr Robin Bähre and Dr Florian Bittner from the institute of plastics and circular economy (IKK) of LUH’s Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.
