BL5-4 BioFlaT

The aim of the BioFlaT project is to develop an innovative, biohybrid flame retardant finish based on adhesion-promoting peptides, so-called anchor peptides. A key challenge in the fire protection of textiles is that many of the flame retardant additives used are harmful to the environment and health and will become obsolete in the short and long term due to increasingly stringent legal regulations, such as the REACH Regulation. In order to counteract this development, innovative and sustainable solutions must be developed to reduce the amount of flame retardant additives that are harmful to the environment and health.

As part of the BioFlaT project, the finishing of textiles with flame retardant additives using anchor peptides is to be realized in order to reduce the amount of flame retardant additives used and to make the flame retardant finish more durable against external influences, for example washing processes, UV light, weathering, abrasion and temperature. Anchor peptides are small amphipathic peptides with a size of up to 100 amino acids that bind as adhesion promoters with high selectivity, binding strength and occupancy density to a broad portfolio of materials, for example synthetic polymers, metals, ceramics and natural materials. This enables anchor peptides to equip textiles based on glass, aramid and natural fibers, for example linen, with functional units such as flame retardant additives. Material functionalization using anchor peptides takes place in an energy-efficient and resource-saving manner at room temperature in an aqueous solution.

The aim of the BioFlaT project is to make the flame retardant finishing of textiles more sustainable, energy-efficient and durable by developing a biohybrid flame retardant finish, thus addressing the increasingly stringent legal regulation of flame retardant additives that are harmful to the environment and health and ultimately making the textile industry in the former Rhenish Mining Area more competitive and sustainable.