Roland Schlüter is studying at the EEIGM – École Européenne d’Ingénieurs en Génie des Matériaux at the Université de Lorraine in France. This international university for materials engineering is part of a European university consortium, of which the Montanuniversität Leoben is also a member.

In Leoben, Roland is working as part of the CircularBioMat project, which investigates bio-based materials as an alternative to conventional, fossil-based polymers for applications in the construction industry.

His work focuses on a material system that combines a bio-based polyethylene matrix with renewable natural fibres. The aim is to investigate the properties of these materials in detail and to assess their potential for more sustainable applications in the construction sector.

A key area of research focuses on a practical challenge in the processing of natural fibres: moisture. Roland is investigating how the fibres can be dried without compromising their properties, and what influence moisture content has on compounding and injection moulding.

After all, a sustainable material must not only be ecologically promising. To be used in industrial practice, it must also be processable, reproducible and suitable for established manufacturing processes.

Through his research visit, Roland is contributing to international collaboration at the interface of materials science, polymer processing and sustainability. We are delighted to welcome Roland to the Montanuniversität Leoben and to support his research work as part of the CircularBioMat project.