Summary:
The project aims at the valorisation of natural fibers coming from vegetable invasive species at Macaronesia, as Arundo donax L. (common cane), Pennisetum setaceum (known as fountain grass), Agave Americana (similar to sisal) y Ricinus Communis (castor bean plant), all of them propagated without control in the three involved Archipelago (Canarias, Azores y Madeira). These plants are included in the TOP100 of most dangerous invasive species from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Ecofibras also envisages the characterization of biomass waste streams obtained from fiber extraction processes. Demonstrators will be produced in the last stages of the Project made of composite material (polymer + natural fiber), having real proof to demonstrate the behaviour of obtained materials, also using them for dissemination purposes.
Funding Institution:
FEDER.
Partners:
Coordinators: Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria;
Partners: Universidade da Madeira (Madeira Chemistry Research Centre), Cabildo de Gran Canaria (through Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo), Universidade dos Açores and Fundaçao Gaspar Frutuoso.
Project team: Alfredo Borba, Carlos Vouzela, Henrique José & Duarte Rosa (University of the Azores).
