BB-BROF Pilot Case Introduction
Read insights for the BB-BROF Pilot Case led by the German organization Bruno Bock GmbH. This case was selected through the FlexFunction2Sustain Open Call, aiming to develop a biobased high refractive index optical film.
The Bruno Bock Group is the world leader in providing high-quality organosulfur solutions for a broad variety of applications. The polythiols made by Bruno Bock and used in high index optical films are currently made unsustainably from petrochemicals. Our objective is to create transparent high refractive index films made from bio-based raw materials (minimum 60% biobased content). We propose to use the same Thiol-Ene chemistry as current, combining biobased Ene components with polythiols that will be synthesized from raw materials issued from renewable biomass. The resulting biobased UV-curable films will be used in various optical applications. Through the services offered by the FlexFunction2sustain project, we will be able to develop and test the films and generate LCA data for these new biobased materials.
In order to execute the Pilot Case, Bruno Bock GmbH is using the combined services of FlexFunction2Sustain consortium partner: Joanneum Research, Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV, IPC – Centre Technique Industriel de la Plasturgie et des Composites, Sonnenberg Harrison Partners, which include:
- Polymerization of polythiols with itaconates using biobased initiators
- Development of the high R.I. optical film
- Alternative thermoplastic materials for injection molding
- Mechanical tests on film
- Optical tests on polymers and films
- Life Cycle Assessment
- Freedom to Operate (FTO) search and IP protection strategy
Stay tuned! Further details on Pilot Case development will follow.
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