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We are excited to share with you the sixth newsletter of the r-LightBioCom project, which proposes a paradigm
shift in the way high-performance composites (HPCs) are manufactured
and recycled, unlocking sustainable-by-design production of lightweight
HPCs.
In this issue, you will find out about: |
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- r-LightBioCom at the JEC World 2026 fair that took place from 10-12 March 2026 in Paris, France
- Highlights of r-LightBioCom's Key Exploitable Results
- Recent achievements and updates from the project
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We hope you will enjoy reading this newsletter! |
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r-LightBioCom @ JEC World 2026 |
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From 10–12 March 2026, r-LightBioCom participated in JEC World 2026 in Paris, the world’s leading trade fair for composite materials and their applications. At the joint booth of the EcoComposites Cluster, r-LightBioCom as well as the two European R&D projects SUSPENS and Repoxyble
from the cluster, all three projects presented their latest
developments at a joint exhibition booth. Visitors to the booth had the
opportunity to explore a range of demonstrators and material samples developed throughout the projects.
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Among r-LightBioCom’s highlight exhibits were real-world applications, including a composite spoiler from the automotive sector developed by project partner Centro Ricerche FIAT, showcasing the potential of advanced lightweight materials for high-performance vehicle applications. Moreover, pultruded tunnel lining profiles from project partner ACCIONA,
highlighting the potential of advanced bio-based composites to provide
durable and lightweight solutions for demanding construction and
infrastructure environments.
The r-LightBioCom demonstrators, material samples, and processes presented at the booth are listed below with links to further information.
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The
event brought together thousands of industry professionals,
researchers, and innovators to explore the latest developments in
composite technologies and lightweight solutions. The shared presence of
the EcoComposites Cluster's projects r-LightBioCom, SUSPENS and Repoxyble
highlighted the strong collaboration between European research
initiatives working on advanced composite materials and sustainable
lightweight solutions.
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Key takeaways from the JEC World 2026
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Guided Tours & Stakeholder Networking Events
On 11 March, the EcoComposites Cluster
organised a guided tour at its booth, presenting the latest innovations
and results in sustainable composite materials from the projects
exhibited. The tour attracted a strong audience of researchers, industry
professionals, technology stakeholders, and policy makers who were keen
to learn more about the cluster’s collaborative approach to innovation.
The attendees had the opportunity
to see firsthand how bio-based materials, advanced manufacturing
methods, and recycling solutions are being developed to improve the
sustainability and circularity of high-performance composites.
Importantly,
EU project managers and reviewers were also present during the tour,
engaging with the teams and exploring the demonstrators in detail. Their
feedback reflected satisfaction with the progress achieved so far and
the promising potential of the technologies under development.
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Speaking session 1 - Lightweight and Sustainable Composites Parts for Transport Applications
10 Mar 2026 / 11:30 - 11:50 / Open Stage
This
talk included three speakers in total, one from each of the present
EcoComposites Cluster projects, where they showcased the technological
approaches, material innovations and demonstrators that were developed
in their respective projects, and how they reduce the environmental
footprint of composite parts while meeting industrial performance
requirements.
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Speaking session 2 - Recycling and Circularity Strategies for Next-Generation Composite Materials
12 Mar 2026 / 11:30 - 11:50 / Open Stage
This talk also included
three speakers in total, one from each of the present EcoComposites
Cluster projects, but this time is about recyclable composite systems,
innovations, materials, circular designs for the reduction of CO₂
emissions. This talk highlights how recycling strategies and low-carbon
solutions can support more sustainable and circular composite value
chains.
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We would like to thank all visitors of JEC World 2026 for their great interest in the EcoComposites Cluster
and the projects presented at our joint booth. It was a pleasure to
engage with so many of you, present our work, and welcome numerous
participants to our speaking sessions.
We are also extremely
grateful for the extensive support and effort from all EcoComposites
Cluster projects and our r-LightBioCom project partners. The successful
presence of the three projects showcased at the booth would not have
been possible without the collective efforts and collaboration of
everyone involved.
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Collaboration between project partners advances bio-based nano-additives to improve composite recyclability
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In Nobember 2025, Bernardo Libonatti, a researcher from Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya visited Hochschule Kaiserslautern, and Leibniz-Institut für Verbundwerkstoffe
to work hands-on and solve the challenging issue of integrating
epoxidised and aminated lignin nanoparticles into bio-based resin
systems with the project partners.
This collaboration has provided important feedback on scaling up nanoparticle production and validating their behaviour in composite systems. Moreover, it has marked an important step forward for the enhancement of mechanical strength, thermal stability and fire resistance for composite resins
researched in r-LightBioCom. This was achieved by transforming lignin, a
natural component of wood, into functionalised nanoparticles, which
support lighter, and more sustainable HPCs.
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Key Exploitable Results of the project
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KER 1: Sustainable bio-based epoxy resins for HPCs
The project
has developed bio-based epoxy resins with performance comparable to
conventional fossil-based systems. These resins offer strong mechanical
properties while reducing environmental impact, helping manufacturers
meet sustainability targets and support more circular, low-carbon
composite production.
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KER 2: Tailor-made nano-additives for various industrial applications of HPCs
The project
has developed bio-based nano-additives that improve composite
performance and sustainability. These additives enhance properties such
as flame resistance and stiffness while reducing reliance on
petroleum-based materials, enabling lighter, safer, and more
environmentally friendly composites for industrial applications.
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KER 3: Sustainable composite production technologies & processes
The
project has developed more efficient and sustainable composite
manufacturing technologies, integrating green processes and
recycling-oriented design. The result is a new class of lightweight,
high-performance composites suitable for automotive, aerospace, and
construction applications, while supporting industrial scalability and
sustainability goals.
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KER 4: Complex-multi material waste recycling
The project
has developed innovative recycling techniques to recover fibres and
resins from end-of-life composites while preserving material quality.
These technologies increase recovery rates, reduce landfill waste, and
support circular economy goals while helping industries meet
sustainability and regulatory requirements.
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6th r-LightBioCom Project Meeting |
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In October 2025, the r-LightBioCom consortium gathered for its 6th project meeting at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Stuttgart, Germany.
As the project has entered its final phase, the
meeting provided an important opportunity to review the latest progress
across the project and to align the partners on the final steps towards
project completion.
Particular focus was placed on the application
cases developed within r-LightBioCom, the current status of the key
technological results, and the remaining activities needed to bring the
project to a successful conclusion later this year in June.
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Microwave-
assisted chemical recycling of a polyurethane foam for pipe
pre-insulation and reusability of recyclates in original foam
formulation
Liudmyla Gryshchuck (1,2), Sergiy Grishchuk (3), Gregor Grun (3) and Wael Almustafa (3); January 2026.
(1) PS Resins GmbH, Lemberger-Str. 94, 66955 Pirmasens, Germany
(2) Leibniz-Institut für Verbundwerkstoffe GmbH, Erwin-Schrödinger-Straße 58, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
(3) Campus Pirmasens, Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences, Carl-Schurz-Str. 10-16, 66953 Pirmasens, Germany
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Researchers from the r-LightBioCom project have explored innovative approaches for the chemical recycling of polyurethane foams (PUFs),
commonly used in pipe insulation. By applying microwave-assisted
recycling processes, the team investigated how recycled materials can be
reintegrated into new foam formulations.
The
results show that small amounts of recycled material can successfully
replace part of the original polyol component while maintaining good
material performance, highlighting a promising pathway towards more
circular polyurethane foam systems.
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The EcoComposites Cluster will be participating in the 22nd European Conference on Composite Materials (ECCM22), taking place on June 21-25, 2026 in Oslo, Norway.
A dedicated session for the EcoComposites Cluster
is planned during the conference, where the cluster projects will
present their latest work on sustainable composite materials, including
bio-based approaches, circular design strategies, and recycling
solutions for high-performance composites. The r-LightBioCom project will also be represented and contribute to this session.
Further details about the session and presentations will be shared on our LinkedIn channel closer to the event. |
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Follow us on social media, and share the information with your colleagues and friends.
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Contact: info-r-LightBioCom@dlr.de |
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Funded
by the European Union under Grant Agreement Project No 101091691. Views
and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do
not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. The European Union
cannot be held responsible.
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Copyright © 2023 r-LightBioCom, All rights reserved.
Imprint
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