The FuturePlas project aims to reduce the weight and improve the performance of plastic components by developing of the next generation of lightweight, high strength, recyclable polymers. The polymers will be reinforced with polymer fibres to produce ‘self-reinforced plastics’ with far greater strength, stiffness and impact resistance than traditional plastics and much greater recyclability, lower weight, lower tool wear and safer handling compared to glass fibre-reinforced plastics.

To date, this technology has only been used to make self-reinforced polypropylene fabric/sheet materials for which the applications are limited – polypropylene has relatively low mechanical properties, particularly at elevated temperature, and fabric/sheet materials are not readily moulded into complex shapes.

The project, which started in November 2006 and will take 30 months to complete, involves 8 UK partners representing the entire supply chain and has a total value of £700,000.

This project is co-funded by the Technology Strategy Board's Collaborative Research and Development programme, following an open competition. The Technology Strategy Board is an executive body established by the Government to drive innovation. It promotes and invests in research, development and the exploitation of science, technology and new ideas for the benefit of business - increasing sustainable economic growth in the UK and improving quality of life. For more information visit www.innovateuk.org.