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Rational valuation of the plant biomass
The rarefaction announced by the fossil resources pulled during the last years a renewed interest for the renewable raw materials. In this context, the division of the vegetable biomass to isolate recoverable constituents constitutes a priority subject. An important part of the researches focuses in the valuation of the forest biomass and in the notion of biorefinery integrated into a paper mill. Numerous actions are led with the aim of the valuation, in particular of the hemicelluloses and the lignine, but also of some cellulose for not paper-makers uses.
Intensification of production processes
The intensification of the processes is studied by being interested more particularly in the coupling of operations within the same stage of production (separation / reaction). Works are led on the reactive flottation to the ozone, the continuous separation of starch nanocrystals during the operation of acid hydrolysis and the intensification of the production process of cellulose microfibrils by enzymatic or chemical treatment of fibers.
Bio and nanocomposites
Since the beginning of 2000s, the LGP2 leads researches to replace the reinforcements classically used in composites by vegetable fibers. It so acquired an expertise in the fibers functionalization to improve the quality of the interface fibers-matrix polymer, in the field of nanocelluloses and of their functionalization by clean processes and in the implementation of bio-based matrices. [legende-image]1383921680518[/legende-image]The laboratory studies the production processes transferable to the industrial scale (extrusion) and leads works allying skills in mechanics of solids (modelling of the thermo-hygro-mechanical behavior) and in materials chemistry.
New applications of printing processes
These processes constitute an effective and economic way to deposit thin layers of fluid, controlled thickness, over large areas and at high speed. The use of fluids with special properties used to functionalize surfaces and offers prospects for development of high value-added products, particularly in the field of printed electronics.