In the field of aeronautics, the CORSIA standard imposes for 2020 a reduction of 36% of CO₂ emissions for new aircraft, which notably involves reducing aircraft fuel consumption. The most relevant approach is based on the use of lighter composite materials, which also has the advantage of reducing operating costs.

The FUI BAMCO collaborative project aims to develop new bio-composites created from biobased resins and long bamboo fibres. Although there are already other solutions available that use flax or hemp fibres, these bio-composites are completely new and unprecedented materials that could beneficially replace glass/phenolic composites as a result of their lightness (reducing overall weight, and therefore fuel consumption), their thermal resistance and mechanical properties in terms of strength and impact/vibration absorption. The cultivation of bamboo also delivers an effective response to a series of ecological imperatives: rapid growth with low water consumption, low soil usage and the absence of any need for fertilizers or pesticides. In aerospace, BAMCO composites could be used in cabin interiors, cover panels and fuselage cladding panels, and even in the onboard galleys used to prepare and store in-flight meals on aircraft. They could also have applications in the manufacture of finished components for use in the marine and leisure sports markets.

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The BAMCO project is thus based on the design of bio-composites from bamboo fibres (Cobratex) and biobased resins, either thermoplastic (Polyamide, Arkema) or thermosets (Epoxy resins, SPECIFIC POLYMERS). Within the BAMCO project, we focus our research effort on the custom synthesis and formulation of biobased epoxy resins that are consistent with the targeted implementation processes and applicative specifications. Within the project, two approaches characterized by different technology readiness level (TRL) are targeted. We are benchmarking biobased epoxy resins already available on the market in order to identify the most interesting ones that can be used to formulate the built-to-specification biobased epoxy resins for targeted application. This approach is based on an in-depth understanding of the structure-properties-performances relationship that allow us to chemically conceive the resin formulation to satisfy the most important key performance indicators related either to the implementation processes (mix viscosity, pot-life, gel-time, etc.) or to the targeted thermomechanical properties (glass transition temperature, young modulus, compression modulus, shear modulus, etc.). Simultaneously, we are working on the synthesis of innovative biobased epoxy resins from different renewable feedstocks, such as vegetable oils, vanillin, phloroglucinol, cardanol or other biobased polyphenols. In this area, we are managing to set-up eco-friendly synthesis pathways either by use of renewable precursors or by optimizing the synthesis conditions (limit or avoid the use of toxic solvents and reduce energy consumption). While optimized from an environmental point of view, SPECIFIC POLYMERS also works on the optimization of synthesis processes in order to make them suitable for pilot scale production.