Project: Development of environmentally benign flame retardant wood fibres for insulation, board products, and methods for production.
Burnblock ApS (“Burnblock”), the coordinating participant, controls patented technology and know-how in the area of water soluble, environmentally benign fire retardant formulations and application to a range of substrates, including textiles, wood products and the like. Burnblock are now interested to extend utilisation of the product into specific areas which utilise wood fibres prepared from the mechanical or thermo-mechanical defibration of wood. Including Insulation products based on highly porous wood fibres in the forms of:_x000D_• mats,_x000D_• low density panels (with implications for MDF manufacture)_x000D_• loose fill and sprayable for cavities _x000D_• insulating core of Structural Insulated panels (SIPS). _x000D_A barrier to the use of natural fibres in insulation products is perceived flammability, so increased fire retardance is necessary for the commercial development of innovative green construction products. Core to these activities is development of efficient, scalable methodology for treatment of wood fibres with the water-borne flame retardant, and to optimise the treatment formulation and regime in order to maximise retention at effective levels to give desired properties. _x000D_The second SME P in the project, Svenska Termoträ AB (“Termo”) is interested to use the flame retardant fibres in insulation materials, develop finished product prototypes based on the new fibres, and extend potential into related market areas._x000D_The project aims are to:_x000D_• Develop scalable methods for wood fibre treatment_x000D_• Develop prototype flame retardant insulation products_x000D_• Show initial potential for flame retardant wood fibre based panel products _x000D_• Test prototypes for reaction to fire, relevant bio resistance and mechanical properties according relevant standards _x000D_• To establish renewable, sustainable and low carbon footprint wood fibres as a CO material of choice for fabrication of insulation products. _x000D_• Open new markets for the flame retardant natural fibres._x000D_Currently, saving energy and reducing carbon emission are top priorities for the construction industry. This is especially so in the context of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD 2010/31/EU) published in June 2010. The directive clearly states that EU member states shall ensure that by the end of 2020, new buildings are nearly zero energy. Implicit in this is the need for retro-fitting of existing buildings. As a consequence of this and rising energy prices, this market is growing and a substantial opportunity is available for wood fibre derived products. Such insulation products are sustainable, of lower embodied energy and of substantially lower carbon footprint than similar products made from mineral or glass wools. In addition, the insulation performance (thermal conductivity) of wood and fibre mats is close to that of mineral or glass wool._x000D__x000D_In order for this to become a reality, the materials need to be flame retardant/fire proof. This problem has been partially solved (cellulose fibre insulation products are on the market in various forms) using chemical treatments, however the treatments presently used are often environmentally unfriendly and potentially or actually toxic in nature. There is a demand for construction products with strong environmental credentials, such as low energy consumption in manufacture, recyclability, and naturally sourced. All these are possible through the combination of wood fibres and fire retardant for the preparation of innovative insulation materials. The low embodied energy of wood fibres prepared in such a way, together with good thermal performance, makes this an attractive proposition._x000D__x000D_The project will develop methodology and processes for application of the fire retardants for production of stable, fire retardant treated and proven fire resistant wood fibres which can be scaled to industrial realty. No such process is available today and this approach will open up new and wider markets. _x000D_The project will then develop, performance test and initially benchmark a number of insulation product prototypes, as listed earlier. _x000D__x000D_Burnblock will work with Termo, along with the Danish Technological Institute (DTI) and Technical Research Institute of Sweden (SP), to achieve goals. This consortium includes experts in wood science, wood fibre products, forming of fibre mats, material testing and fire testing to international standards. The combination of innovative thinking SMEs and technical expertise of the Research Institutes will provide drive and capability to deliver results within the project timeframe._x000D__x000D_Key test work to ensure expected performance and initial benchmarking towards later certification, and development work on wood fibre products, will be performed by DTI and SP who will bring expertise and networks into the project consortium. This will benefit all participants, bringing lead expertise, innovative products and a technology lead into the market place. _x000D__x000D_The path to market is clearly signposted.
|
Acronym
|
FREI
(Reference Number: 7577)
|
|
Duration
|
01/07/2013 - 31/12/2015
|
|
Project Topic
|
Burnblock controls patented technology in the area of water soluble, environmentally benign fire retardant formulations. Burnblock will work with Termo in a structured R & D project to develop applications and prototypes in wood fibre based insulation products.
|
|
Network
|
Eurostars
|
|
Call
|
Eurostars Cut-Off 8
|
Project partner
