Winners of first DNFI Innovation in Natural Fibr - sportstextiles: Lea SportsTextiles

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Winners of first DNFI Innovation in Natural Fibres Award revealed

20/10/2017
The Discover Natural Fibers Initiative (DNFI) has announced Marie-Isabel Popzyk, scientific assistant at Aachen University, Germany and Dr Roland Klein, group manager at the Fraunhofer-Institute in Germany, as the joint winners of its first Innovation in Natural Fibres Award.

They were chosen after an online vote which saw participation from more than 100 countries. DNFI members had already narrowed the selection down to five finalists.

Ms Popzyk and Dr Klein were recognised for their research into how 100% bio-based, natural fibre reinforced plastics (NFRP) with low moisture absorption can be developed for application in structural components. Their research was presented in a paper, “Reduction of the moisture absorption of natural fibres and production of notwist yarns for use in structural components”.

The chair of DNFI, Terry Townsend, said Ms Popzyk and Mr Klein’s research is a good example of the dynamic nature of natural fibre technology. 

For their part, the winners said their research has the potential to overcome two critical issues related to NFRP, moisture uptake and reduced mechanical properties compared to glass fibre reinforced plastics (GRP).

They will be officially recognised for their achievements at the Biocomposites Conference Cologne (BCC), which takes place from December 6-7 in Maternushaus, Cologne. 

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