Research topics

Preparation and processing of preserved natural fibres

Within the last few years, the production of natural fibers has continuously increased all over the world. Natural fibers are industrially processed in augmenting quantities, for example in the German car industry. In the area of insulating materials the market launch program of the EU shall largely compensate the financial differences that still exist in comparison with conventional materials produced on petroleum base and, thus, lead to an even higher demand. 
Currently, the main deficit for an enhanced fiber production is that the decortication plants for natural fibers in industrial countries are not working economically or have been shut down. Also, the quality of the produced fibers often not meets the requirements. 
In the years 2002/2003, a novel powerful technology was developed at the ATB on the base of impact decortication. At a capacity of approx. 3 t/h it operates with an essential economization in terms of investments and running costs. By this means fibers can be produced at competitive prices and with the fiber qualities required. 

The main focus of the ongoing research activities at the ATB lies on the development of an alternative process line for conditioning and processing of preserved hemp. For this procedure, the chopping of the hemp is carried out in the field. Hereafter, the chopped plant material is preserved in horizontal silos, similar as in corn. The new procedure allows to produce the desired end product directly from the preserved hemp by making use of the complete plant mass. Advantages of this new process line are the reduced weather risk at harvest time in September, a reduction of costs by approx. 50 % for the production of fiber raw material, and the lossless processing of the complete plant mass to an end product of defined quality. 
A pilot plant for the preparation and processing of preserved natural fibres has been built up, funded by the EU. It was put into operation im March 2007.

Research structure (overview)