Sonichem launches bio-based materials project for automotive sector

In the UK, a consortium led by sustainable technology firm Sonichem said it has been granted nearly $765,000 in funding from Innovate UK’s “resource efficiency for materials and manufacturing” (REforMM) program. 

The funding will accelerate the development of the proprietary Sonichem ultrasound technology and the production of renewable alternatives to petrochemicals commonly used in the production of plastics, resins and composites within the automotive industry.

Sonichem said that CARMA – carbon-neutral agroforestry-derived resins to materials for automotive applications – project will be undertaken jointly with the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), Scott Bader, the National Composites Centre (NCC), Polestar and SHD Composites, with each party bringing their own extensive expertise and technical knowledge to the table.

The grant will cover over 70% of the total estimated costs for this project, with the remaining amount being funded by several members of the consortium.

The CARMA project commenced in October 2023, to apply Sonichem technology to automotive manufacturing as a first use case, the company said.

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