ABOUT SSUCHY
A logic of sustainable development
SSUCHY aims at exploiting the intrinsic and differentiating properties of plant fibres and biopolymers derived from lignocellulosic feedstock to develop fully bio-based composites with improved functionalities. The main driver behind this project is not only to substitute conventional fossil-based materials with more sustainable bio-based ones but also to achieve improved functionalities that surpasses those of fossil-based ones. Enhanced functionalities are, in addition to load-bearing resistance and weight reduction of structures, enhanced durability, vibration damping, vibro-acoustic control and fire retardancy while retaining an essentially recyclable and, for certain applications, biodegradable character. Such developments would provide to the composite industry a significant value and functions added products with high socio-economic impacts and minimized environmental impact. It will create opportunities to expand market applications for bio-based composites to semi-structural and functional applications in transportation along with new opportunities in high value niches.
The use of plant fibres is increasing outstandingly and demand is expected to grow by 300 % over the next 25 years.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
From lignocellulosic feedstock to bio-based composites with advanced functionalities for transportation and high value market niches
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OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED IMPACTS
The development of innovative bio-based composite constituents
The SSUCHY project is positioned on the development of composite constituents, based on a renewable resource (i.e. biopolymers and plant fibre reinforcements) for the development of multifunctional recyclable and/or biodegradable bio-based composites with advanced functionalities for application in different sectors : transportation (ground transportation and aerospace) and high value market niches such as the acoustic and electronics sectors. It is dedicated to the development of specific concepts, technologies and materials to achieve a complete value chain and prove the principle at the scale of product demonstrators.
The SSUCHY project has five core objectives :
> Multifunctional bio-based composites
> Hemp-based competitive reinforcement
> Hybrid fibre reinforced composites
> Bio-based functionalized and optimized polymers for PFCs
> Tailored lignin derived monomers for high-grade polymer
Increase the sustainability and the competitiveness of European industry
The expected impact is twofold:
To set the basis and validate new bio-based constituents for composites ;
• new bio-based aliphatic polyester with enhanced thermomechanical properties and still retaining a recyclable and/or biodegradable character
• new bio-based epoxy resin with advanced properties (flame retardancy…) with a high content of carbon from biomass
• new cobalt-free unsaturated polyester resin accelerator which has a low sensitivity to presence of fibre moisture during cure, and is optimized for high durability of the composite
• bio-based monocoque scooter frame
• bio-based panels for electric aircraft interiors application and designs of structure parts
• high-performance green loudspeaker system
KEY FIGURES
Project duration:
48 months, from September 2017 to August 2021
Budget:
Total cost: 7,411,150.71 €
BBI JU contribution: 4,457,194.75 €
partners from 7 countries
academic institutions
SMEs
industries
competitiveness cluster
BBI JU
SSUCHY benefits from a contribution of 4,45 million euros from the Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI-JU), a public-private partnership between the European Union and the Bio-Based Industries Consortium (BIC), operating under the European Horizon 2020 program.
The objectives of BBI JU are : to contribute to a sustainable, low carbon and profitable economy; to increase economic growth and employment, especially in rural areas, by developing competitive biosourced industries in Europe.


A LARGE SCALE MULTI-STAKEHOLDERS PROJECT
SSUCHY brings together 17 European partners:
- Coordinator: Université de Franche-Comté – FEMTO-ST (France)
- IAR, The French Bioeconomy Cluster (France)
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium)
- University of Bristol (United Kingdom)
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique – ENSCP (France)
- Stockholms Universitet (Sweden)
- École Nationale d’Ingénieurs de Tarbes (France)
- AkzoNobel Functional Chemicals BV (Netherlands)
- Linificio e Canapificio Nazionale Srl – Marzotto Spa (Italy)
- Trèves (France)
- Wilson Benesch (United Kingdom)
- EADCO GmbH (Germany)
- NPSP BV (Netherlands)
- École Nationale Supérieure Arts & Industries Textiles (France)
- University of Derby (United Kingdom)
- Université de Bourgogne (France)
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore – CERZOO (Italy)