Laboratory for the valorization of scleroproteins in materials applications – SCLEROLAB

Scleroproteins are among the most mechanically resistant and durable natural structures. Strongly organized in highly hierarchical fibers, they are mainly found in protective organs of animals: skin, hair, hooves, horns. They therefore have specific names linked to their origin and their composition in amino acids such as collagen, keratin or fibroin. Used for a long time by man in the form of leather, wool or silk, they represent today a still under-exploited resource. Upstream (horn, hooves, etc.) or downstream (waste/ scraps from the clothing industry), there are many sources today. The luxury industry, in particular, generates large quantities of waste and wishes to propose a better valorization of these natural materials.

SCLEROLAB proposes to find new ways of valorization of these specific proteins in the field of materials. Born from an already proven association between the Laboratory of Agro-Industrial Chemistry (LCA), one of whose specialties is the processing of natural polymers, and the company Authentic Material (AuM), which proposes the upcycling of co-products from the luxury industry, this joint laboratory is carrying a particularly ambitious project of global valorisation of these scleroproteins.

The main research areas of SCLEROLAB are divided into three categories:
- Pre-treatment processes of raw materials and processing of these specific proteins:
? In order to be processed into materials, raw materials such as leather, wool or silk must be able to be ground and/or defibrated and the particle size of the resulting powders and/or fibers must be controlled. This crucial step for the whole transformation has already been the subject of a first patent application but it will need to be further improved.
? The development of suitable processing methods is essential to make the most of these scleroproteins in 100% natural materials and in composites with a high protein fiber content.
- The physico-chemical analysis of scleroproteins: the structural organization of proteins, their thermal stability, their surface properties but also possibly the presence of additives related to a first use (in particular leather tannins) are key parameters of the valorization.
- The formulation and characterization of these original and innovative materials :
? The characterization of this new type of materials will not be limited to mechanical properties or aging. It will include finer issues such as volatile organic compounds (VOC) analysis, sensory tests as well as Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). It will attempt to demonstrate that these materials are competitive while having a limited environmental impact.
? The amount of possible combinations (natural composites, organic-inorganic composites) and formulations (plasticizers, colorants, functional additives) is considerable and will be explored in relation to the market and AuM's customers.

SCLEROLAB intends to offer a complete range of new high-performance materials (biodegradable or not but with a low environmental footprint) allowing the industrial valorization of these scleroproteins while generating new knowledge to optimize their pre-treatment and transformation.