LAUSR

A novel, low-cost and fully-recyclable thermoplastic material has been produced from liquefied lignocellulosic biomass and natural fibers. The matrix, being the heavy fraction of the liquefaction product, has been properly characterized in terms of molecular weight distribution, density, viscosity, softening point and tensile strength. It has been possible to increase the mechanical strength of the matrix up to 100 times by reinforcing it with flax fibers. Specifically, the tensile strength increased from 0.4 MPa for the non-reinforced matrix, to 55 MPa for the matrix/flax composite with a fiber content of 20 wt.%. These values are comparable to conventional thermoplastics, such as PMMA, PVC or PS.