The interest of the group is focused on two types of products:
BIODEGRADABLE BIOCOMPOSITES
Biocomposites are composite materials derived from renewable sources made up of two different components, which are complementary and remain clearly differentiated in the final product. Our group is interested in the manufacture of “green” biodegradable biocomposites fully derived from renewable biomass, using a polysaccharide-derived polymer (polylactic acid, PLA) as a matrix, and cellulosic fibers (or cellulose-enriched fractions) as a reinforcement material.
NEW MATERIALS DERIVED FROM LIGNOCELLULOSE
In this research topic, lignocellulosic materials (or fractions derived from them) are modified by physical or chemical processes to obtain new materials. For this purpose, the cellulosic and/or hemicellulosic fractions of feedstocks are subjected to derivatization reactions (etherificaton or esterification) to obtain new materials suitable as hydrocolloids or for applications (for example, films or packaging). The research group has participated as a partner in the INTERREG Naturplas I and II