The project addresses an important global issue of the minimization of the use of fossil-based plastics, namely in the air filtration sector. The recent pandemics have resulted in an unprecedented increase in air filtering materials, primarily used for respiratory protection devices but also for regular air cleaning filters. These are fabricated from petroleum derived polymers, thus a huge load to the environment has been imposed. The project Biofibre will explore technical and environmental opportunities to replace petroleum polymers with bio-based polymers in the manufacturing of air filter materials. The rapidly growing market for bio-based polymers will be systematically explored, and polymers will be selected for investigation into fiber formation.
Project funding:
Projects funded by the Research Council of Lithuania (RCL), Projects carried out by researchers’ teams
Project results:
Bio-based filtering materials will be fabricated by several methods, resulting in microfibrous, nanofibrous, and composite structures that allow for efficient filtration of aerosol particles. The environmental advantage of the usage of bio-based polymers in air filter manufacturing will be demonstrated using life cycle assessment modeling, where bio-based products will be compared against traditional ones.
Period of project implementation: 2023-04-01 - 2025-03-31
Project coordinator: Kaunas University of Technology
