Sustainable smart Tooling: Turning Waste Cellulose Fiber for Circular Auto Manufacturing

Purpose and goal:

The project´s objective was to identify development requirements for using recycled cellulose fiber to 3D print tools for vacuum forming in an industrially relevant environment for car manufacturers. Aimed at accelerating transformative effects in various fields, such as 3D printing and vacuum forming in bio-based packaging recycling and car manufacturing and thereby contribute to a wider area of application.

Expected results and effects: Results include TRL raised to 5:

(1) material development for 3D printing based on residual material from Stora Enso´s production and the quality of the material.

(2) Identified the material development requirements to further develop materials and process to enable use in vacuum forming process, with car manufacturer Ecoist AB and car parts vacuum forming supplier HAVD Group AB. The MRL was raised to 2 by identifying critical functions. SRL lifted to 2: LCA comparison confirmed eligibility requirements to enable sustainable tools.

Approach and implementation:

The project was closely collaborated within the consortium and the reference group. We established a good workflow and a good relationship for further development in the next step.