This week BARBARA project closed with a Online Conference.

Four years from its start, the European project BARBARA has achieved its goal by finishing the research and production of new high-performance bio-based materials from food which have been used to manufacture prototypes for the automotive and construction sectors. Thanks to the technological advances developed for the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), the most widespread technology for 3D printing or additive manufacturing, industrial application pieces with innovative functionalities and high added value properties have been obtained.

This multidisciplinary work involved the development of demonstration prototypes such as car door trims and dashboard fascias or moulds and tools used to fabricate knots for beam trusses and structures for the construction sector. These parts were successfully processed from eight new materials which were used to manufacture filament spools suitable for this 3D printing technology.

The materials contained polyester and polyamide as main polymers mixed with polysaccharides obtained from corn, as well as additives from pomegranate (pigments and mordants), lemon pigment and scent and almond shell, which confer the materials different colours, fragrances and textures with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

The event counted with 130 participants from all over Europe as well as the project partners who besides presenting their work, also answered the questions from the audience. A dynamic event where the project prototypes were showed, and the near future of the project explained.

This project has received funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant Agreement No. 745578).