Biotechnological Enzymatic Modification of Lignocellulosic Natural Fibres
Abstract
The major aim of BelCel project is to develop a biotechnological enzyme-based modification process for natural lignocellulose stem fibres (e.g. flax and hemp). This is driven by the desire to replace the widespread use of cotton as one of the most widespread. Currently, cotton represents the profitable non-food source of cellulose fiber with production levels at ca. 26 million tons in 2018 providing half of all textiles. Unfortunately cotton is becoming environmentally unsustainable due to negative environmental impacts resulting from the use of agrochemicals especially pesticides as well as the consumption of water (leading to water scarcity, pollution and water contamination). Considering the strong demand in bio-based economy and sustainable developments, the usage of natural fibres is considered to make significant contributions to the enhanced eco-efficiency of textile industry. Flax fibres are known as favourable to human skin, and linen clothing positively influences physiological parameters, guaranteeing optimal comfort for users. With regards to advance usages, flax fibres find applications in high performance composites as alternative to glass fibres due to its unique property combination in tensile strength, deflection or its resistance to breaking, twisting and compression as well as vibration absorption. Another important renewable fibre is derived from hem which is easily adaptable to all types of soil. Traditionally, hemp fibre is used to make ropes, paper, but also in the textile industry, building insulation and as reinforcements in technical composites. Thus, from both ecological and technical point of view, lignocellulosic natural fibres are recognised as true alternative to cotton in the fields of conventional and technical textiles with very high potential. In the past, many efforts are made to chemically modify lignocellulosic natural fibres in order to change their structure and properties, however only with limited successes with respects to achieve defined fibre structure and change fibre processability. During the last decade, a big number of research activities on enzymatic modification of natural fibres was recognised, however, there is still no breakthrough achieving well controlled fibre structure. The project will provide essential scientific knowledge in the design and control of the biotechnological modification process for lignocellulose fibres on the basis of enzymatic catalysed reactions to the scientific partners UIBK and BOKU. It will provide the access to a new technology platform in natural fibres to the industrial partners GTAG and OTTO and possibilities in new bio-based products for the industrial partners EISS and INNC. The technology will significantly contribute to debottleneck the issue with the fibre softness and processability of stem fibre, thus enhance the usage of these European bio-based sources and enable a better utilisation of natural fibres and broaden their applications.
textile industry lignocellulosic fibres enzyme technology biotechnological
Publikationen
Mitarbeiter*Innen
Georg Gübitz
Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. Georg Gübitz
guebitz@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-97001, 97402
Project Leader
12.01.2022 - 11.01.2022
Project Leader
12.01.2022 - 30.09.2023
Sub Projectleader
01.04.2020 - 11.01.2022
Gibson Stephen Nyanhongo
Priv.-Doz. Dr. Gibson Stephen Nyanhongo
g.nyanhongo@boku.ac.at
Project Leader
01.04.2020 - 11.01.2022
Sabrina Bischof
Sabrina Bischof MSc.
sabrina.bischof@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-97496
Project Staff
01.05.2022 - 30.09.2023
Filippo Fabbri
Filippo Fabbri MSc.
filippo.fabbri@students.boku.ac.at
Project Staff
01.02.2021 - 31.03.2023
Martin Nagl
Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Martin Nagl
martin.nagl@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-97494
Project Staff
01.01.2022 - 30.09.2023
Alessandro Pellis
Dr.nat.techn. Alessandro Pellis MSc.
alessandro.pellis@boku.ac.at
Project Staff
01.04.2020 - 30.09.2023
BOKU Partner
Externe Partner
University of Innsbruck
keiner
coordinator