Bioplastics research
from Upper Franconia

Did you know that around 4 kg of microplastic per capita are released into the environment every year, which do not decompose there or only decompose over millennia? With our research we want to ensure clean conditions.

Side Note Bioplastics = biopolymer + bioadditives

Research & development focus


MANUFACTURING

Development of natural bioplastics and biogenic additives through the extraction of carbohydrates and secondary plant substances, modification of biopolymers as well as fine grinding and drying.

PROCESSING

Engineering processing of biopolymers using compounding, extrusion and injection molding.

RECYCLING

Recycling both biopolymers and increasing the recyclability of products made from conventional plastics.

SUSTAINABILITY

Increasing sustainability in plastics processing, for example, by reducing the use of materials and adapting the product design.

Biopolymer manufacturing

The research group for biopolymer production investigates the possibilities for the extraction and processing of biopolymers for bioplastic products as well as biogenic raw and residual materials as natural additives.

Extracted macromolecules as well as commercially available bioplastics are compounded with natural finely ground powders and liquid additives to form granules for the subsequent extrusion process.

Processing of technical biopolymers

In the research group Biopolymer Processing, bioplastic granules and compounds are processed into semi-finished products (blown films, flat films, filaments) and finished components (injection molding, 3D printing).

In addition to the processability and the process parameters, the structure-property correlations are examined.

Recycling conventional and bio-based polymers

The recycling research group is investigating the possibilities of re-feeding extruded bioplastic products (post-industrial and post-consumer) into a new processing cycle. In addition to the entire recycling process, changes in properties are analyzed.

Sustainability

The sustainability research group focuses on the sustainable research and development of bioplastics. In addition to planning an environmentally friendly recycling design, CO 2 and CH 4 balances are drawn up and examined.

With refinement processes such as aerosol plasma coating and AI-supported processes, complex recipes and multi-layer applications can be prevented from producing single-type recyclates.

Institut für Kreislaufwirtschaft der Bio:Polymere der Hochschule Hof (ibp)

Alfons-Goppel-Platz 1, 95028 Hof

E: ibp@hof-university.de
P: +49 9281 409-4730

Any questions? Write us a message and we will contact you.

You can reach us from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Strong support for
a strong future