On March 13, 2025, Wood K plus took part in the KC Fachtagung [Conference on Materials] – Focus on Fiber Composites held in Linz, Austria. The event, organized by the Upper Austrian cross-sectional network of the industrial plastics sector (Business Upper Austria), brought together approximately 40 industry stakeholders to discuss the latest developments and applications of fiber-reinforced plastics.
This year’s conference explored a wide spectrum of materials and their forward-looking applications, ranging from mobility and construction to other sectors where fiber-reinforced composites are essential. Key topics included recyclability, design for recycling, and the integration of recycled and bio-based raw materials. Experts from both industry and research institutions presented new insights and visions aimed at driving sustainable and innovative use of fiber-reinforced composites in relevant sectors.
Our colleague Dr. Claudia Pretschuh from Wood K plus contributed to the conference with an oral presentation on “Developments in the Area of Fiber-Based Composites by Using Natural Fibers”. The presentation highlighted key developments from the automotive case study of the SSbD4CheM project, which specifically targets the development of composites reinforced with natural fibers, cellulose fibers, and wood particles for use in automotive interior applications, and focuses on the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) principles.
Dr. Pretschuh outlined the SSbD approach followed by the project, emphasizing several steps such as:
- Step 3 – Safety aspects: Addressing safety aspects related to the use phase, with a particular focus on volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from automotive interior materials.
- Step 4 – Sustainability aspects: The sustainability dimension is taken into account through a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach, in collaboration with the University of Leiden, also partner in the project.
Additionally, foam injection molding was presented as a potential solution for creating ultra-lightweight thermoplastic compounds.
The event provided an excellent platform for networking and exchanging perspectives. Following the presentation, Wood K plus engaged in discussions with Magna Powertrain regarding the potential of natural fiber-based composites. Magna expressed interest in further material testing, simulations, and results from ongoing LCA studies. Additionally, future discussions are planned with Borealis to explore material applications and LCA aspects further.
Participation in this conference underscores Wood K plus’s commitment to advancing sustainable material solutions in the automotive sector and beyond.
