Project summary

The project AgReCOMPOSITES falls under the Pillar I “Smart Growth” that constitutes one of the three strategy pillars of the Restart 2016-2020 Programmes of the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF), and it is fully compatible with S3CY “Agriculture- Food Industry” priority sector. The Host Organization of the project is Elysee.

 Carbon-based polymer composites are replacing many conventional materials due to their enhanced thermomechanical properties in various applications. Although, carbon-based fillers, including carbon nanotubes, carbon nano-fibers and graphene that are typically employed as additives, are not environmentally and economically viable. Thus, one of the project objectives is to develop sustainable, cost- effective and environmentally viable polymer composites. The latter is going to be achieved by incorporating biochar-based fillers deriving from pyrolysis of agricultural and livestock wastes.

The project aims to the development of innovative and sustainable polymer composites in the form of novel plastic products mainly for irrigation and water supply.

Project objectives

The main objective of the AgReComposites project is the employment of biochar-based additives in Polypropylene (PP) and Polyethylene (PE) virgin thermoplastics and thermoplastic recyclates for the fabrication of “green” plastic pipes and fittings.

Furthermore, another important objective, is the enhancement of an effective collaboration between enterprises and research community, that aims to identify challenges and to develop new sustainable solutions by implementing R&D projects.

Partners

Funding Agencies

The Project CODEVELOP-AG-SH-HE/0823/0140 is funded by the European Union - NextGenerationEU, through the Research and Innovation Foundation.