Forest for Sport (ForeSport)

Important results from the project

The primary goal of this cross-industry project is to investigate and confirm the feasibility to replace fossil-based materials, EPS (expanded polystyrene) and PU (polyurethane), that are used in the sport industry. The target is to produce a biofoam with forest-based materials and to incorporate it in a sport composite demonstrator. Facts and data about the new biofoam solutions will be generated, e.g., material compositions / performance, production techniques etc.

Expected long term effects

The hypothesis of using forest-based material as an additive to make a bio-foam material has been investigated and confirmed. Laboratory trials with different material blends of polymer, forest-based materials, and foaming agents were made and the results indicated that it is indeed possible to create foam structures. Test pieces (dog bones) that contain forest-based materials between 14 and 56 wt% have been produced and analyzed. The knowledge and experiences accumulated through this project will pave the road for future development of the concept.

Approach and implementation

The project started with selection of materials to produce a bio-foam, e.g. polymer, forest-based materials, and foaming agents. Even long-term targets (beyond the feasibility project) for possible sport applications of the bio-foam were considered in the beginning, e.g. mass density and hydrophobicity of the bio-foam when used in surfboard. The laboratory trials were conducted and analyzed at RISE using materials provided by Holmen. There have been tight communications / discussion on the testing results and upcoming activities via TEAMS among all of the project partners.