Our vocation

The private innovation company and engineering platform for industrial projects FRD promotes the emergence and development of innovative applications for agricultural fibres.

FRD works within the “Industries et Agro-Ressources” (Industries and Bioresources) and acts as the cluster’s co-ordinating structure for the plant-fibre-based materials sector.

Created at the behest of producers of plant fibres and reinforcements and major plant-chemistry players, FRD is the first unifying industrial organization to bring 15% of all French plant-fibre production under its wing via its stockholders.

FRD has expertise in the full range of plant-fibre extraction and applicative implementation activities, from the plant all the way to end applications.

If you are a professional in the building & construction, transportation, or sports & leisure sector (among others), we can provide support for your innovation needs, along with the most relevant solutions in terms of environmental compliance, product performance or material functionality.

What’s new

Regio 2N train cabin made with natural fibers

The largest composite part reinforced with natural fibers

This demonstrator was presented for the first time at the JEC World show in Paris Nord Villepinte in March 2017. The part is the result of collaboration among participants in the investment project for the SINFONI “forward-looking” program.

Project Leader: Fibres Recherche Développement (FRD)
Materials and Processes: Stratiforme Industries - Bombardier
Reinforcements: EcoTechnilin - Eyraud
Fibers: Calira - Decock s.a. - La Chanvrière

The cabin of the Regio 2N train is usually produced with glass fibers by infusion and hand lay-up molding. It has been completely redesigned by computer to replace this synthetic material with fibers of flax and hemp as reinforcements. The production of the Regio 2N cabin was carried out in cooperation between producers, industrials and experts, in order to select the right stratifications and to optimize the manufacturing techniques.

The use of plant fibers as a reinforcement in the railway industry has been possible with the same processing methods while at the same time allowing a weight gain on the part of at least 20%.

Infrared analysis available at FRD

In an effort to innovate, monitor quality, speed up controls and measure materials, FRD has just acquired a reflective and visible-near infrared scanning analyzer in a range of 400 to 2500 nm:

Non-destructive testing
Analyses on straw, fibers, aggregates, compounds ...
Identification (relative to a reference), quantification, qualification
Technical repeatability: 32 measurements per sample

Find all the materials analyses

CIR certification

FRD is pleased to inform you of the renewal of its CIR certification for the period 2017 to 2019, recognizing its ability to conduct research services, and providing for partial financial support to customers for research service fees.

AMIDOGRAF®

The first 100% biobased and biodegradable vine clip

This tying clip produced by the Compagnie des Agrafes à Vigne is composed of starch and vegetable fibers. This biosourced material is fully biodegradable and reduces energy consumption by 35% during the production cycle. The development of this clip is the result of the Matagraf project financed by the Grand Est region and bringing together partners: INRA, CNRS, FRD and Plastiques d'Argonne.

Product details

Download our service offer with more information on the support FRD can provide to meet the needs of application manufacturers and of the producers of biomass and associated reinforcements.

Consult FRD’s catalogue of fractions (fibres, meal and shives) and reinforcements (compounds, nonwovens, roving, unidirectionals, multiaxials).

Discover the first statistical guide to the markets for technical plant fibres used in materials.

Download the latest study co-produced by FRD for ADEME, the French Environment and Energy Management Agency, on assessing the potential for utilizing biomass-derived secondary raw materials in the chemical industry and in biosourced materials.