SkaNaPA – Study on the Scaling of the Production and Processing of Natural-Fiber-Reinforced Bio-Polyamides for Automotive Interior Applications

In the transfer project “Investigation of the Scaling of the Production and Processing of Natural-Fiber-Reinforced Bio-Polyamides for Automotive Interior Applications” (SkaNaPA), the emission and odor behavior of composites made from bio-based polyamide and regenerated cellulose fibers is being systematically investigated across the entire scaling chain—from the laboratory scale to industrial production. The goal is to validate the process- and material-related influencing factors identified in the predecessor project during the scale-up and to optimize them for specific applications.

The focus is particularly on process parameters for compounding in twin-screw extruders, such as rotational speed and temperature control, as well as material-specific factors such as moisture content and fiber content. In close collaboration between the Institute of Materials Engineering – Department of Plastics Engineering at the University of Kassel, the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems (IMWS), and the application partner Exipnos GmbH, the processability, mechanical and technological properties, as well as the emission and odor behavior of the developed compounds are comprehensively characterized.

To this end, material requirements relevant for use in automotive interiors are first defined. Based on this, the materials are specifically optimized through the addition of additives and by adjusting the compounding parameters, taking into account the processing constraints. At the same time, measurements will be taken throughout the process to quantitatively and qualitatively assess the emissions generated during compounding.

Subsequently, a sample seat shell is manufactured using injection molding and evaluated for its mechanical properties as well as its emission and odor behavior. In addition, studies on direct processing at the application partner’s site are conducted to analyze the potential for more material-friendly process control and its impact on the resulting component properties.