Estella

DESign of bio-based Thermoset polymer with rEcycLing capabiLity by dynAmic bonds for bio-composite Manufacturing

Project goals & contents:

ESTELLA is a European project funded under the HORIZON-CL4-2021-RESILIENCE-01 (A DIGITISED, RESOURCE-EFFICIENT AND RESILIENT INDUSTRY 2021) call for proposals.

The main objective of the ESTELLA project is to increase the sustainability of thermoset epoxy composites by introducing Covalent Adaptable Network (CAN) bonds in both fossil and bio-based resin matrices. As well us use of natural fibers as reinforcement throughout the entire value chain of the materials, starting from the design phase. Ultimately, this will enable their recycling while redefining all the involved manufacturing and recycling processes, ensuring a maximum recovery rate of the components, and strengthening the ecological and economic dimensions of the value chain for thermoset composites.

The ESTELLA methodology is characterised by the definition of different work packages, each dedicated to one or more technologies and pursuing specific objectives to enable the development of recyclable thermoset bio-composites.

The applied methodology is based on four main steps:

(a) Development of innovative recyclable thermoset matrices
(b) Obtaining fibers (continuous and discontinuous) with high compatibility with the developed resins
(c) Design and manufacturing of composite materials
(d) Recycling of matrices and composite materials