Researchers in Australia and New Zealand are working to develop durable water repellent (DWR) textile coatings without harmful chemicals by creating a biopolymer that mimics bee nests. Scientists at Australia’s Deakin University and New Zealand based biotechnology research company Humble Bee Bio are collaborating on the seven month project, said to be worth a total of AU$566,000 (US$420,000) cash and in-kind funding. The study is based at Deakin’s Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) and backed by the Australian National Fabrication Facility.
Humble Bee Bio’s CEO and Founder Veronica Harwood-Stevenson explained: “By mimicking the properties of the solitary masked bee’s cellophane-like nesting material, we have created a biopolymer that’s water-repellent and resistant to flames, high temperatures and strong chemicals.
“This research collaboration will enable Humble Bee Bio to take our proof of concept and develop a formulation and production method for sustainable DWR biopolymer coatings.”
Project lead Dylan Hegh, IFM’s circular economy initiatives manager, said that the research would provide Humble Bee Bio with an advanced understanding of the novel material and its properties. “In refining the formulation, this collaboration has the potential to uncover new and unforeseen applications for the biopolymer and catalyse further research and development into advanced biomanufacturing,” he said.
Professor Joselito Razal, Director of IFM’s ARC Research Hub for Future Fibres, said the project reinforced Deakin’s commitment to re-designing materials for a circular economy. “Deakin University will utilise its world class expertise and facilities in fibre and materials science to facilitate Humble Bee Bio’s vision of a sustainable Australian textile industry,” he said.
Backers of the industry-university research collaboration include the Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) which has contributed an AU$70,000 (US$52,000) award.
IMCRC’s manufacturing innovation manager Matthew Young said: “Novel advanced materials is playing a crucial role in achieving a more sustainable future for Australia and the rest of the world. “Once commercialised, Humble Bee Bio’s sustainable DWR coatings have the potential to bridge a significant gap that exists within the textiles industry today.”
