One of the specific impacts of CBE JU programme is to replace at least 30% of fossil-based raw materials with bio-based and biodegradable ones by 2030, potential scope for bioplastics manufacturing processes is foreseen in the coming decade. The urgent need of increasing sustainability has also affected flame retardants. During the last decades, the number of studies based on developing bio-based flame retardants has increased considerably together with their incorporation in formulations based on bio-based polymers. However, the use of bio-based flame retardants with bio-based polymers has not been properly covered. The THERMOFIRE project aims to be a pioneer in this field, consequently, the flame retardancy of the 100% bio-based composites will be deeply developed and investigated. Fire retardancy is a key property of materials used for applications in the automotive, aerospace and textile sectors due to the need to minimize fire risk and meet safety requirements. In the THERMOFIRE project up to 100% bio-based polymers will be reinforced with different natural fibers (e.g., regenerated cellulose from wood and commercial flax) and bio-based flame retardants aiming at giving excellent flame retardancy to the final bio-based thermoplastic (TP) composites. The innovation of THERMOFIRE relies on the development of high-performance composites with a 20% reduction in weight and 15% in cost while maintaining the required levels of safety suitable for applications under stringent operating conditions. THERMOFIRE project represents a genuine opportunity to remove Europe’s dependence on imports of fossil-based polymers for stringent operating conditions in the aerospace, automotive and textile sectors.

Non woven acoustic insulators are key elements of vehicles to enhance comfort and to avoid noises inside the vehicle. Despite automotive industry efforts towards new acoustic insulating felts with improved properties, some issues need to be acomplished: manufactures must make dismantling and recycling of end-of-life vehicles more environmentally friendly quantifying to a minimum of 85% by mass the reuse, recycling and recovery of the on end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) and their components (Directive 2000/53/EC, ELV) and this should be done at the earliest stages of development of vehicles (Directive 2005/64/EC). On the other hand, current vehicle felts are not only manufactured with petrochemical-derived materials such as polypropylene (PP) and polyester (PET) polymers which generate greenhouse gas emission effect but also highly cost, selling price of current acoustic insulators exceed €2.6/m2 on average for an insulator of 10 mm. To overcome these needs Arifieltros have developed GEOPET products which are more environmentally friendly and sustainable non woven acoustic insulators, since they are made of 80 % recycled natural fibers and are 100% recyclable, generating less greenhouse gas emission and complying with European Directives on ELVs. Moreover, the use of more economical raw materials, 0.75 €/Kg in comparison with 2€/Kg of petrochemicals derivatives, reduces product cost up to €1.3/m2 (10 mm thickness), in comparison with current acoustic insulators €2.6/m2. When compared to Sawasorb® (Sandler GA acoustic insulator), similar absorption performances were obtained. GEOPET is currently a prototype within a range of insulators with a TRL6, having successfully been tested in alpha cabin and fitted in a vehicle tested in a petit cabin. It is envisioned that we will penetrate in the automotive market with 3 prototypes GEOPET STANDARD, GEOPET PREMIUM and GEOPET XTR which have been designed to satisfying all types of vehicle passengers and segments.