Natural Fibers – Shaping the Materials Landscape
In the course of our material processing endeavors, at Triangular, we frequently encounter and engage in collaborations with companies that embody a unique blend of diverse materials, advanced processing techniques, and comprehensive contract manufacturing capabilities. These entities transcend the conventional toll processing model, providing a versatile spectrum of solutions.
Today, we are delighted to introduce you to Biofibre GmbH, a remarkable company that seamlessly integrates the realms of material science, biofibers and renewable raw materials, innovative solutions, and production services.
Discover more about BiofibreGmbH and gain insights from our exclusive interview with Dr. Christoph Habel.
What is the focus of Biofibre GmbH?
Christoph: Biofibre GmbH – founded in 2011 and meanwhile a joint venture of the Steinl Group and Anvis Plastics – focuses on activities in the field of renewable raw materials. All natural fibre-reinforced biomaterials and products can be further processed into end products using standard thermoplastic processes such as injection moulding and extrusion.
Biofibre® granulates are based on matrices of – where possible recycled –
biopolymers and various additives. In the manufacturing process, organic
macroscale biofibres such as wood and other natural fibres are embedded in the
matrices if needed for the specific application.
In addition to improved physical properties, these biofibres also create a natural look and feel on the surface. Fibre residues from organic farming of regional sources that are not in competition with food and/or feed production are predominantly used. In addition to the joint development of the “materials of tomorrow” together with the customers, Biofibre GmbH already produces four product types that can be used in the most diverse fields of application.
Moreover, it´s worth to mention, that our subsidiary naftex GmbH is a specialist in the construction & contract manufacturing of high-quality WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) and highly filled natural fibre composite granulates.
Can you describe the main application fields for your compounds and who are your typical customers?
Christoph: Since different property profiles can be set on the material side with natural fibres, further additives and the different thermoplastics, there is not THE target market or THE customer in the biofibre world. Furthermore, and this is eminently important, sustainability is playing an increasingly indispensable role in more and more industries.
Markets to be named are certainly Consumer Goods, Toy Industry, Packaging, Building & Construction, Automotive & Transportation and Agriculture & Forestry, where we have already gained intensive experience in development projects and/or have existing customers of our standard product portfolio.
About the customers: A precise description is certainly not feasible here; this exciting field of material innovations is far too broad for that - from research institutes to start-ups to global players. However, the customers do have one common denominator. They have recognised that material transformation must be actively pursued, as it is an essential component of sustainability approaches. They want the materials of tomorrow - already today!
Scale-up is a tricky stage in the development of new products. You have a wide experience with all kinds of scale-up and individual customer projects. Can you tell us more about your approach?
Christoph: Our approach is i2ma - from idea to market maturity. Quite simple and yet effective.
At biofibre we see cooperation as essential to drive innovation and are therefore happy to be part of project consortia. But one thing is also clear when you look at the process from idea generation to series production.
If I have a different partner every time - one who advises me, another who does development work with me and finally a producer who manufactures industrially - there is a risk that knowledge is lost with every transition to a new partner.
Here we see the massive added value for our customers that we can remain the partner in each individual step - we are not only the sustainability consultant in the first step, who informs and advises, but also the development partner with industrial production capacities and infrastructure in the subsequent steps.
Thus, it is also possible for us to take into account from the very beginning which pitfalls might occur during scaling and to consult in-house experts e.g. mechanical & process engineering, automation at an early stage. This not only reduces unnecessary iterations and thus costs, but also increases the probability of a technically feasible and ecologically viable scaling.
What other expertise do you have, and what kind of resources can you share with your customers?
Christoph: In addition to the activities already mentioned in the previous question - from idea generation & educational work to activities as a development partner to industrial production – I would like to address the point of contract compounding in particular.
This is also the reason why we are working with you – Triangular - and being part of your network.
Sustainability is essential for us at biofibre. But sustainability also means trying to work as efficient as possible and, furthermore, not to reinvent the wheel but to learn from other industrial sectors and their processing techniques.
For this purpose, it is a good idea to draw on the expertise and equipment of other companies - especially if it is not yet foreseeable whether an investment in one's own equipment will pay off, or if one does not have the resources and the know-how to operate these machines in the best possible way.
Your platform and daily work enable companies from different industrial sectors to get an overview about different equipment providers and their know-how. Especially in the field of compounding, we are very diversified with a wide range of machines with different throughputs and a wide range of material components. But also in other areas, such as injection molding or pelletizing, it is worthwhile to contact us if required.
Where can we meet you on the road soon?
Christoph: There are various events where we are actively involved and we will be happy to exchange with the readers of this Blog and all other curious:
14.-15.09.2023: As speaker @ „ZLV Verpackungssymposium“, Kempten
26.09.2023: As speaker @ „Cradle-ALP | Konzepte und Ansätze für die Circular Economy“, Online
28.09.2023: As speaker @ „Zirkuläre Werkstoffe – Innovationen für die Zukunft“, Nuremberg
17.-21.10.2023: As exhibitor @ fakuma: Hall A3 | A3-3012, Friedrichshafen
30.11.2023: As speaker @ „C.A.R.M.E.N. Webseminar „Zukunftsfähig mit Biowerkstoffen – Beispiele für die Verarbeitung und Anwendung von Nachwachsenden Rohstoffen““, Online
Thank you for the insights dear Christoph.
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Further Informations about Biofibre:
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Dr. Christoph Habel
Business Development Manager
christoph.habel[at]biofibre.de | +49 (0) 1796606300 | LinkedIn
After completing his PhD at the University of Bayreuth in the field of inorganic-organic composites, Dr. Christoph Habel immersed himself in the funding & innovation management world at Chemie-Cluster Bayern GmbH for about 2.5 years. Since September 2022, he has been going back to his roots and focusing on the business development of natural fibre-reinforced plastics at Biofibre GmbH.
In this position he is e.g. responsible for customer consulting and support, order acquisition/acceptance and market analysis with a special focus on customer-specific developments.
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