The Fraunhofer WKI exhibits at LIGNA 2019 illustrate the diverse possibilities for the industrial utilization of the natural product wood, from the production of future-oriented hybrid materials through to the recycling options. From 27^th to 31^st May 2019 in Hanover, the scientists will be presenting their extensive expertise in the research into the renewable raw material wood and other botanicals for industrial applications, thereby highlighting new commercial potential for the wood-based materials and automotive industries.

Sustainable mobility through wood-based lightweight construction solutions

With their wood-based lightweight construction solutions, the researchers at the Fraunhofer WKI are pursuing the objective of introducing renewable raw materials into structural application within the mobility sector. Exhibits include a seat shell as well as a seat which is attached to a structural component made from a metal/wood layered composite. The structural component fulfills the technical-structural and crash-relevant requirements for application in vehicles. The molded parts made from multi-layer veneer composites are lighter than conventional materials, exhibit a high rigidity, and lead overall to lower production costs. The exhibits on display are therefore an environmentally friendly and economically interesting alternative for the vehicle industry (e.g. automotive, rail, shipping).

Recycling products from rotor blades – New insulation and building materials

At the Fraunhofer WKI, scientists are developing innovative recycling techniques for the recovery of balsa wood and plastic foam from wind-power rotor blades. The recovered materials are then used to produce new, improved insulation and building materials. The innovative aspect lies in the fact that the usable sections containing the balsa wood are separated during dismantling of the rotor blade at its original location. This enables the separate processing and high-quality recycling of the materials. A further advantage is that the rotor blades are not incinerated, as was previously the case, thereby losing raw materials in large quantities, but are instead implemented as a “material source” for new products. The recyclates are used to produce new, improved insulation and building materials, such as insulation mats and “light” extruded floorboards made from wood polymer composites (WPC). The products and the recycling procedure are relevant for, amongst others, wind-turbine operators, recycling companies, WPC manufacturers, insulation material manufacturers, wood-based materials manufacturers and the packaging industry.

Light microscopy: Quality and damage analyses of products and materials

In wood research, light and fluorescence microscopy is an indispensable tool. Researchers at the Fraunhofer WKI determine, for example, the quality of the bonding in composite materials and analyze fibrous materials and wood foams. Furthermore, they also perform damage analyses on, amongst other items, bonds and coatings, and carry out research into historical materials. At LIGNA, experts will be presenting the spectrum of different samples, including the exhibits on the Fraunhofer-WKI stand, under the microscope.

Research and design: Cooperation project on lightweight structures

How can sustainable materials and construction methods be applied in lightweight construction? How can the ecological footprint be reduced in boatbuilding? Is it possible to transfer proven boatbuilding methods to other sectors? Do the new materials fulfill the structural, processing and cost requirements? These and other questions were addressed in detail by researchers from the Fraunhofer WKI, together with designers from the Institute for Design Research at the Braunschweig University of Art. The results of this cooperation project will be presented at LIGNA 2019. On display are three examples of rational production using sustainable materials in boatbuilding and the bicycle industry: a pedal-boat with pedelec drive, the rib cross-section from a racy 22m sailing catamaran, and a pedelec delivery bicycle.

Background: Fraunhofer WKI

Sustainability through the utilization of renewable raw materials has formed the focus at the Fraunhofer WKI for more than 70 years. The institute, with locations in Braunschweig, Hanover and Wolfsburg, specializes in process engineering, natural-fiber composites, wood and emission protection, quality assurance of wood products, material and product testing, recycling procedures and the utilization of organic building materials and wood in construction. Virtually all the procedures and materials resulting from the research activities are applied industrially.