HOBUM and Relement create high performing biobased composite material

Relement worked with Hobum (Hamburg, Germany) to create this game-changing material: a high-performance, biobased composite material with a glass transition temperature of >110 degrees Celsius.

Hobum aimed to develop composites parts made of plant fibres and a vegetable oil-based resins using a resin-transfer moulding process to create a bisphenol A-free product. Hobum reached out to Relement for the utilisation of our ingredient bio MPA to replace fossil-based anhydrides such as MHHPA in their resins.

After 1.5 year of testing of various formulations, the partnership hit a breakthrough with a recipe based on admergenic acid (ADA), epoxidized linseed oil (ELO) and Relement’s ingredient 3-methylphthalic anhydride (bio MPA). This resulted in a prototype car interior panel part. The composite material reached the highest % biobased (85 %) and the highest glass transition temperature (Tg 95–120 °C depending on catalyst and temperature). A higher Tg results in enhanced strength, stiffness and heat resistance.

There is a strong demand worldwide on availability of lightweight composite materials with high performance. Bio MPA can be a gamechanger for this industry. HOBUM recently showed all technical data at their HOBUM Innovation Exchange Webinar. AT

www.relement.eu
www.hobum.de

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