Fiber Innovations: From Production to Application > Biopolymer & Natural Fibers

"CELLUN" - Thermoplastic Composite Based on Cellulose

Saal B
Donnerstag, 11.09.2025, 14:30 - 14:50 Uhr

CELLUN is a sustainable composite material made from cellulose-based reinforcing fibers and a thermoplastic cellulose derivative matrix, offering an eco-friendly alternative to glass- and carbon-fiber-reinforced materials. It can be processed using established industrial methods and enables circularity through thermal reshaping or component separation for reuse. With its resource-efficient properties, CELLUN is particularly suited for lightweight construction and the automotive sector.

Sprecher
Frank Hermanutz (Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung Denkendorf)
Co-Authoren
Carlo Pani (Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung Denkendorf), Patrick Kaiser (Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung Denkendorf)
As part of a BMBF-funded project, a new thermoplastic composite material has been developed at the DITF, based on cellulose-based reinforcing fibers and a thermoplastic cellulose derivative matrix. This material offers a sustainable alternative to glass- and carbon-fiber-reinforced materials and can be processed using established industrial methods such as hot pressing or pultrusion. CELLUN utilizes non-melting cellulose fibers and thermoplastic cellulose derivative fibers as a matrix. These are combined into hybrid rovings, which are then further processed. Another key focus of the project is the circularity of the CELLUN material at the end of its lifecycle (EOL). Two approaches are being pursued for this purpose: thermal reshaping without loss of quality and the physical-chemical separation of components for reuse. CELLUN materials provide an environmentally friendly and resource-efficient alternative for technical semi-finished products, particularly in lightweight construction and the automotive sector.