Switzerland develops new bio-based composite material Fluid Solids

A project team in Switzerland developed Fluid Solids, a bio-based composite material made of wood fibers, fillers such as marble calcium carbonate, and animal bone meal binders. The project is led by the IWK Institute for Materials Technology and Plastics Processing at the HSR University in Switzerland.

Products made from these materials include a stool that is in-molded to interlock the core bioplastic seat with the stool’s wooden legs. Fluid Solids inventor and designer Beat Karrer has also developed a range of other applications, such as dishes, drying racks and human torsos.

Large-scale production of new bio-based composite materials is expected

The drying rack is already in mass production, and the stool is expected to be in small-scale production soon. As for the human torso statue, discussions have been held with a potential Chinese partner to produce window mannequins for clothing stores, using this new bio-based composite material to replace the traditional glass fiber reinforced thermosetting polyester material.

Fluid Solids won the Material Design and Technology CO2 Efficiency Award in 2011, because the products and applications made of it are more flexible, stable, and more ecologically efficient, while saving costs and greatly increasing the added value. value.

This material uses renewable raw materials from industrial by-products, has no odor and emissions, is biodegradable, has high manufacturing process adaptability, is durable, and has a good surface finish.