The first edition of "bio!car", a new conference on bio-based materials for automotive applications, will be held in Stuttgart / Germany from 20 - 21 September 2017. The conference is co-organised by bioplastics magazine (Mönchengladbach / Germany; www.bioplasticsmagazine.com) and the nova-Institut (Hürth / Germany; www.nova-institut.de) and aims to address the trend in the automotive industry towards using bio-based polymers and natural fibres. The bio!car ticket includes free access to the "Composites Europe" trade fair from 19 - 21 September (see Plasteurope.com of 19.06.2017).

According to the nova-Institut, in 2012, the European car industry processed around 80,000 t of wood and natural fibres into composites. More manufacturers and suppliers are looking at bio-based alternatives derived from wood, cotton, flax, jute or coir, among others, which are being used as composites in car interiors, bioplastics magazine says.

Experts representing all segments will be at bio!car and will present materials such as conventional plastics that are filled or reinforced with natural-fibre products and “drop-in” bioplastics like castor oil-based polyamides or polyolefins from sugar cane-based bioethanol. PLA or PTT (polytrimethylene terephthalate) bioplastics will also be featured, along with duromer resins from renewable resources and bio-based alternatives for rubber and elastomers.

For more information, contact bioplastics magazine mt@bioplasticsmagazine.com.