FEDER - SEML Innovation Development Bio Materials - Compoline 2 Project
Kohesio
SEML INNOVATION DEVELOPPEMENT BIO MATERIAUX
Conventional wood panels are produced from wood flour or wood fibers bonded with a thermosetting resin, which is accused of emitting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde. These formaldehyde emissions are, today, heavily regulated by various European directives. Waste from the manufacturing and machining of MDF panels as well as that from the end of the life of furniture is not currently recycled and is either sent to landfill or crushed and put into a steam boiler. The woodworking profession is concerned about this and is looking for more environmentally friendly solutions. To remain competitive and face competition from countries with low labor costs, furniture and interior design companies must be innovative and respond to the needs of the market which requires greater customization of products and constant evolution of design. The Compo'line project financially supported by Europe through the objectives of axis 1 of the ERDF "develop the regional innovation potential" of measure 1.2 “making research a priority instrument for the competitiveness of the Lower Normandy economy” and sub-measure 12.2. "supporting partnership research projects between research centers and companies, presenting opportunities in terms of market" by the, the State (DIRECCTE) and the Lower Normandy Region over the years 2010 to 2013, made it possible to develop a 100% bio-sourced thermoformable hybrid wood for furniture and interior design whose commercial name is Selun®. For the wood sector, the project aims upstream to recycle waste from the wood industry in high value-added applications and downstream to modernize furniture manufacturing processes to adapt them to the requirements of the current market and make them more competitive. It aims to innovate in terms of design in order to offer a new furniture offering. Finally, it allows the wood industry to offer recyclable furniture and interior fittings. The arrival on the market of Selun® should make it possible to give new impetus to the regional wood industry, hard hit by company relocations and the consequences of the 1999 storm. This project has been supported since the beginning by the PROFESSIONBOIS association (Interprofessional Association Forêt Bois de Basse Normandie) which brings together the different players in the wood industry. lower-Norman (foresters, sawyers, cabinetmakers, architects), CODIFAB (professional committee for the development of the French furniture and wood industries) and VIA (Valorization of Innovation in Furniture, whose mission is to promote creation and innovation in the sector of furnishing the domestic, professional or urban living environment). The Architect@work trade show in October 2013 where the Selun® was presented for the first time to professionals (architects, specifiers, major accounts) and the numerous contacts such as Beneteau, Bouygues have made it possible to verify the excellent reception of the material which foreshadows a very good entry into the luxury and boating construction materials (2nd work) market. An in-depth European and global market study combined with a business plan are essential for the development of an industrial and commercial development strategy for Selun® as well as its production method and logistics.
Smarter Europe / Research and innovation / Research and innovation activities in private research centres including networking