DeutschApplications and industries
Plant based renewable resources can be used for many different applications. Solid fuel, fuel as biomass pellets/briquettes or the production of biogas are classical examples of applications of renewable resources for energy production.
In addition, there is a large variety of examples for material (industrial) use, which should always have priority over the feedstock use for energy production.
Some examples are:
Spinnable plant-based long fibres
- For clothing textiles and technical textiles
Users are primarily the textile industry and automotive industry.
Plant-based short fibres
- For the production of natural fibre polypropylene granules for applications in injection moulding
- For natural fibre nonwovens in composite materials
- For the use in building materials (e.g. insulation boards, sandwich panels)
Users are primarily the automotive industry, the textile industry and manufacturers of building material.
Polylactid acid (PLA)
- As raw material base for use in bio-based packaging
- Additional applications are being explored, e.g. as clothing
Users are primarily thepackaging industries.
Gum arabic, Moringa, aromatic plants
- In food
Users are primarily the food industry and flavour industry.
Plant oils and plant-based fats
- For the production of granules for applications in injection moulding
- For the production of bio based fuels
- As additive in paints and varnishes
- As base material for drug production
- As base material for biogenic oils (biolubricants, engine oils)
Users are primarily the oleochemistry, aviation industry, automotive industry, pharmaceutical industry.
Cellulose
- As base material in drugs
- For the production of paper and pulp
- For textile manufacturing
- Additive in construction materials and plastics
Users are primarily the chemical industry, construction materials industry and the paper industry.
Chaff (for example chaffed Miscanthus)
- As animal bedding
Users are pet and livestock owners and service providers in the field of landscape architecture and horticulture.
Quality requirements for plant feedstocks
In order to guarantee the quality of products, every sector has specific quality standards for the required raw material. These requirements are the starting point of our service and define the parameters for developing the appropriate processing chain. Therefore, we name these raw material ‘defined raw materials’ which will be provided to the costumer. The plant-based feedstock has to match exactly the material properties required by the costumer. This material can be a substitute for conventional material or a completely new innovative plant-based material. To identify the required characteristics, detailed research is often necessary. To obtain this crucial information, C.S.P. extensively collaborates with scientific institutions and industrial partners.
In addition to the qualitative requirements of the plant raw material, economic aspects have to be considered to successfully establish the application of renewable resources. The plant-based feedstock needs to be available continuously and in sufficient quantities. Therefore, logistical questions need to be addressed and, if necessary, transportation infrastructure needs to be developed. The plant raw material must be available at a marketable price.