The EU-funded BRIGIT (7th FP, see pinfa Newsletter n°31) project has successfully developed a new generation of PIN fire retardant, multi-layer, three dimensional panels for trucks and buses made of cellulose by-products from the paper industry.
PHB (polyhydroxybutyrate) and PBS (polybutylene succinate) biopolymers are produced from spent sulphite liquor (SSL). Panels were strengthened using natural fibres. The panels can be produced by continuous compression moulding (CCM), enabling economic production, and are recyclable after grinding. Different combinations of commercial phosphorus and nitrogen based HFFR (halogen free flame retardants) were tested for fire performance, achieving UL94 “self-extinguishing” (3-13mm) with no horizontal flame spread and FMVSS302 “fire resistant”.
BRIGIT (New tailor-made biopolymers produced from lignocellulosic sugars waste for highly demanding fire-resistant applications) www.brigit-project.eu/descarga_web.php?id_pub=387 and “New flame-retardant and biodegradable panels for trucks and buses from wastes of the paper industry” AIMPLAS 1/2/2017 http://www.aimplas.net/blog/new-flame-retardant-and-biodegradable-panels-trucks-and-buses-wastes-paper-industry