SSUCHY Project Demonstrates Hemp and Wood-Based Bio-Composites Match or Exceed Fossil-Based Materials in Automotive & Aviation

Cordis EU

Overview

The SSUCHY project has demonstrated that bio-based composites, derived from hemp and wood, can achieve performance comparable to or better than fossil-fuel-based resins and glass/carbon fibers in demanding applications such as automotive and aircraft interiors and acoustic components. The project also developed novel curing systems tolerant to fiber moisture and bio-based flame retardants, significantly advancing Europe’s transition to a circular bio-based economy.

In Depth

Key Findings

The SSUCHY (Sustainable Structural and multifunctional bio-based Hybrid materials for light-weight applications) project has successfully demonstrated that innovative bio-based composite materials, primarily derived from hemp and wood, can deliver performance comparable to or even superior to conventional fossil-fuel-based resins and glass/carbon fiber composites in high-performance applications such as automotive, aircraft interiors, and acoustic components. The outcomes of this project represent a significant milestone in accelerating the industrial transition towards sustainable materials and fostering Europe’s circular bio-based economy.

Technical / Clinical Details

The SSUCHY project involved several key technological innovations and material developments:

• Hemp and Wood-Derived Composites: By utilizing hemp and wood fibers as reinforcement, combined with bio-based resins, the project developed lightweight composite materials exhibiting high mechanical strength. In specific applications, these materials showed comparable specific strength and stiffness to traditional synthetic fiber-reinforced plastics.
• Novel Curing Systems: Natural fibers typically have high moisture absorption, which poses challenges during composite manufacturing. The project successfully developed new curing systems that tolerate residual moisture in the fibers, enabling the production of composites with excellent properties, thereby simplifying manufacturing processes and potentially reducing costs.
• Bio-Based Flame Retardants: High fire resistance is a critical requirement for components in aircraft and automobiles. SSUCHY developed environmentally friendly bio-based flame retardants and integrated them into the composite materials, achieving enhanced fire performance while maintaining the material’s sustainability profile.
• Application Areas: Demonstrations were conducted across diverse fields, including automotive interior parts (e.g., door panels, trims), aircraft cabin interior materials (e.g., seat shells, partitions), and acoustic equipment housings and sound-absorbing materials. Meeting stringent safety standards for aircraft interiors was a particular focus.

Background & Context

Amid growing concerns over climate change and resource depletion, the automotive and aerospace industries are heavily invested in developing new materials that offer both lightweighting and sustainability. Conventional high-performance composites, despite their superior properties, rely on petroleum-derived resins and glass/carbon fibers, posing environmental challenges during production and recycling. Supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, the SSUCHY project has explored the potential of bio-based composites to address these issues. The project’s success actively advances Europe’s ‘Green Deal’ policies, promoting a shift away from fossil fuel dependency and towards a circular economy.Strategic Significance & Outlook

The SSUCHY project’s achievements clearly indicate that bio-based composites can serve as viable alternatives to fossil-derived materials, even in technically demanding industrial sectors. Moving forward, these materials are likely to be adopted as standard components in next-generation automotive and aircraft models, with focus now shifting to optimizing manufacturing costs, scaling up production, and further validating regulatory compliance. The widespread adoption of bio-based composites will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of these industries, representing a crucial step towards delivering more sustainable and environmentally friendly products to the market.

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