Novel Blends/Composites From Biobased Resin Systems and Lignin Hybrid

A series of novel lignin based bioblends/biocomposites have been developed in our laboratory and show tremendous promise for applications in automotives and housing.

In this presentation; three different lignin hybrids are prepared from either poly(furfuryl alcohol) or hybrid-biobased epoxy, or -bio-based polyurethane (PUR) matrices, and incorporate various natural fibers and fillers as reinforcements. All of the processed bioblends/biocomposites showed higher static and dynamic mechanical properties as compared to the neat matrix containing the same amount of bioresins. This presentation mostly highlights innovative value added non-food industrial applications for underutilized vegetable/plant derived resins and biomass derived biofibers and lignin. This research is financially supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)-University of Guelph-OMAFRA (Bioeconomy for Industrial Uses Program 2009 & 2010); OMAFRA -New Directions Research Programs 2009, the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation BioCar Initiative project, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)-CRD program; Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) fund; and Manitoba Pulse Growers Association (MPGA) fund.