The project ‘EnTreHeaT — Enzymatic Surface Treatment of Biogene Heavy Tows (bHT) for use in High-Performance Composites’ (CORNET, no. 01IF00417C) has been initiated by FIBRE. Since June 1st, 2025, research is performed in collaboration with Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI), Chemnitz, DE and InoTEX s.r.o, Dvůr Králové n.L., CZ, coordinated by Forschungsvereinigung Werkstoffe aus Nachhaltigen Rohstoffen e.V. (WNR), Rudolstadt, DE and Klastr technické textilie, z.s. (CLUTEX), Liberec, CZ. The project aims to improve the interaction of bHT and thermosets.
Biogene Heavy Tows (bHT) are bark stripes peeled off from hemp stems. They can be as long as the plant and can be used (like commercial rovings) as unidirectional reinforcement in composites. The covering substances on the bHT surface can be removed by enzymatic treatment in order to uncover the surface-near fibres. This enables a direct fibre-matrix coupling. Using this technique, the core of the bark stripes remains unchanged, and the mechanical properties of the composite can be improved significantly. [Link to project flyer]
