DOLFIN

The main objective of the project is to designed, produce and optimise innovative aquaculture structures using a new plastic composite reinforced with organic filler (crop waste) specially developed in the project for applications in permanent contact with water. The new composite will have the necessary characteristics to obtain new structures and devices with enhanced properties compared to the present ones. The project will combine two completely different waste flows (plastic and crop) to produce new aquiculture structures, both for a totally innovative concept for mollusc farming rafts Wand replacing other materials (metals or non-reinforced plastics) in already existing structures (flotation rings & devises for sea-based fish farms and tanks for land-based fish farms). The project will also help to solve the problems associated with rafts or other wooden structures in permanent contact with water, such as the reduction of mechanical properties (due to the effects of water) and rotting. Simultaneously, we try to find an economically viable solution for crop residues, using them as fillers in the manufacture of this new plastic composite. The new composite will be 100% recyclable. There is currently crop waste (husks, stalks and leaves) from rice, sunflower, wheat, barley and other cereals, whose economic exploitation is next to nothing or nil, and its burning in croplands constitutes a significant source of environmental pollution in production areas. The project aims to obtain a low-cost plastic composite taking advantage of unexploited or underexploited crop waste, applying the new material (in an initial stage) to manufacture water contact applications. The environmental aspects of the project (with their intangible costs), loo king for a useful approach for these residues; increase the relevance of the proposed research.