In May 2017, as is the case every two years, Hannover’s exhibition center was once again dominated by LIGNA, the global meeting point for the wood working and processing industry. As well as traditional exhibits such as plant and machinery for wood working, innovative wood materials have become an increasingly key focus of the trade fair in the last few years. For example, 3N Kompetenzzentrum e. V., 3D-Print SAM and Linotech GmbH & Co. KG joined forces with the Bionics Innovation Center of Bremen University of Applied Sciences to present new biobased materials for processing using 3D printing and micro injection molding.

"As a result of a growing awareness of sustainable product solutions, the demand for biobased materials that are not dependent on oil production is rising," explained Prof. Jörg Müssig, head of the Biological Materials working group at Bremen University of Applied Sciences. New material recipes for biobased materials with outstanding properties have been developed as part of the German-Dutch INTERREG VA project "Bioeconomy in the non-food sector" and in close collaboration with industrial partners. "By combining various biobased polymers with wood and natural fibers and by-products from the agricultural industry such as pepper fibers, it isn't just possible to replace conventional oil-based materials but also to improve the mechanical properties," added Hansjörg Wieland from 3N Kompetenzzentrum e. V.