In a Nutshell
CUBIC presents an innovative solution to improve the sustainability and circularity of complex products made of high-tech advanced multi-material composite structures, by developing novel biomaterials. The ultimate goal is to develop 100% circular by design biobased and recyclable thermoplastic and thermoset B2B intermediate products.
CUBIC is a Research & Innovation project, with a duration of 42 months and a budget of almost 4.7 million Euros, funded by Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE-JU) under the European Union’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe.
Why CUBIC?
The world population will exceed 8.5 billion by 2030, forcing us to considerably reduce the amount of waste we generate through prevention, reduction, reuse and recycling as part of the circular economy, with the aim of minimising the impact on health and the environment, for example by advocating to eliminate dumping, minimise the use of chemicals or avoid oceans pollution or damage of natural ecosystems. In Europe alone, 40,000 tonnes of plastic composite waste were deposited in landfills annually in 2015, a situation that is getting worse as there are no mature recycling technologies and 306,000 tonnes of plastic composite waste are accumulated worldwide.
On the other hand, biobased materials, due to their intrinsic nature, have demonstrated that they can be adequate candidates with a satisfying performance to replace petroleum derivates in various application areas. However, due to differences in physical and thermochemical properties, the direct replacement of the current materials with newly developed biobased is often a mistake and in order to reach the full potential of products made of biobased materials, eco-design is essential (part drawing, materials to be used, processability end-of-life etc.)
CUBIC Approach
The CUBIC project will develop and demonstrate novel biobased materials, 100% recyclable by design, which will be manufactured as B2B intermediate semi-finished products. The products will be used either individually or assembled in the final end-user product in order to replace current complex thermoplastic and thermoset structures. The overall objective of these new bioproducts is to provide an alternative biobased solution to the manufacturing industry by boosting green and digital transformation.
Benefits will be significant for the environment, by creating a novel production system and addressing renewable carbon and circularity goals, as well as zero pollution 2030 goals. CUBIC will contribute to the reduction of soil and water contamination related to waste generation and potential microplastic levels, which are considered harmful to human health and natural ecosystems.
Also, there will be significant benefits in terms of growth, increasing jobs and turnover by promoting new bioproducts in at least two (2) industrial applications.
Hydrogen gas (H2)
storage pressure vessel
Automotive
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