Materials made from domestic, renewable raw materials are becoming increasingly attractive as they reduce CO2 emissions, prevent microplastics from entering the environment and close the material cycle. Based on this market demand, a project consortium with the DITF and the companies Schorn & Groh Karlsruhe and Ribler Stuttgart developed a new decorative material made from natural components.

The composite material “Flexwood” consists of a decorative layer of wood from sustainable forestry in the form of a thin veneer layer and a textile based on cellulose-based natural fibre materials, which is laminated to the back of the wood veneer for stabilization. Previously, polyurethane films or polyurethane dispersions were used to bond the textile and wood veneer in comparable applications.

In this project, a sustainable, new solution based on lignin was developed as an adhesive system for the required lamination. Lignin is a waste product of the paper industry. After lamination, the thin veneer layer is cut into small segments with a laser beam, leaving the underlying textile intact. The fine engraving gives the wood surface its flexibility and pleasant feel. Due to the resulting extreme bending and draping properties, this composite material can be used as a decorative surface and susThe tainable leather alternative in automotive interiors, interior design, furniture construction, clothing and many other industries and sectors.