GDR DUMBIO: ‘Durability and bio-based materials’ research group

Context and objectives

Environmental, energy and economic constraints represent challenges and opportunities that are enabling bio-based materials and biopolymers to position themselves as attractive alternatives to petro-based molecules.

DUMBIO aims to share know-how in the field of bio-based materials. DUMBIO also aims to revisit the raw materials and transformation processes for biobased materials, so as to bring out the functionalities that are essential for expanding their fields of application. Finally, DUMBIO aims to develop metrics and indicators to assess the impact of the new practices that will be recommended in the broader context of the bioeconomy.

The DUMBIO GDR is directed by Isabelle Capron (INRAE BIA-Nantes) and Christophe Chassenieux (CNRS Le Mans Université). It brings together 160 researchers from 30 laboratories, with the support of 2 start-ups and the INCREASE research federation.

The GDR is structured around 4 thematic areas:

• Area 1 : Biobased materials and bulk biopolymers
• Area 2: Biosourced materials and solvated biopolymers
• Area 3: Processes for advanced materials
• Area 4: Environmental, economic and societal impacts

Prospects

Area 1: The aim is to generate new biobased structural materials such as fully biobased (nano)composites by considering new sources of biopolymers derived from fractionation co-products, innovative renewable sources or waste, with the aim of exploiting the entire resource. The potential of these bulk systems in terms of specific properties (shape memory, optical properties, etc.) will be explored in order to address niche issues with high added value.

Area 2: A vast library of multifunctional synthons will be generated as precursors for solvated systems of interest (suspensions, emulsions, coacervates, hydrogels, ionogels, membranes, etc.) via the implementation of respectful, efficient and selective chemistries. In a solvent medium, these synthons will be assembled into more or less complex structures whose structure/property relationships will be established on different time and length scales.

Area 3: We will focus on the development and optimisation of processes for the production of materials in areas 1 and 2 (additive manufacturing, milli and microfluidics, electrospinning, modification by ultrasound, microwave or plasma) considered individually or in combination. We will propose organisational changes to these processes to optimise the efficiency of each of the transformation stages, taking into account the variability of the raw material (linked either to climatic, geographical or biological variations in the biomass, or to the supply of recycled materials, or to the extraction and recycling processes used to recover biopolymers and synthons).

Area 4: The ‘relevance’ of the proposals arising from the first 3 areas will be challenged using metrics and indicators linked in particular to the circular and sustainable economy. The aim is to quantify the environmental and economic impact of such synthons and biobased materials at every stage of the life cycle: extraction, functionalisation, application/processing, while seeking to improve the circularity of flows, recycling of products and waste and minimising the potential toxicity of the products resulting from their (bio)degradation. From the earliest stages of processing, the aim is to consider the cascading use of resources, thereby extending their availability. This thinking does not only include the scientific aspects covered in the other three areas, but also other economic and societal aspects at the interface with disciplinary fields more focused on SHS and agro-economic concerns.