BioFoamBark

BioFoamBark is an European project on the valorization of softwood bark tannins into insulating foams and bioenergy in it’s final phase. The project targets at developing fully bio-based tannin foams in order to substitute petroleum based foams. The tannins are extracted from the bark of prevalent softwood species in Europe. Further components for the foam formulation like glycerol and furfural or nanocellulose can be recovered as by-products from biodiesel and the pulp and paper industry. One aim is to develop foams with excellent properties for application as insulating building materials and for conversion into synthesis gas at the end of the product life. In this project also the environmental performance, techno-economic feasibility and market potentials of those biomaterials were assessed. Therefore the central technological developments will be guided by the sustainability and economic viability of the products.