Project goals & contents
Renew4EHS – Project Objectives
Renew4EHS accelerates the development of sustainable electronics by pioneering renewable materials, circular manufacturing approaches, and next‑generation energy systems. Our activities focus on creating bio-based alternatives that reduce e‑waste, eliminate critical raw materials, and support Europe’s transition toward a circular economy.
Overall Goal
To create high-performance electronic components made from renewable materials that enable circularity, biodegradability, and significant reductions in electronic waste – paving the way for a new generation of sustainable electronics.
Bio-Based Materials for Electronics
We develop functional materials derived from mycelium, cellulose, starch, and other biopolymers to serve as sustainable substrates and components for electronic, energy-harvesting, and energy storage systems.
Carbon-Based Conductive Inks
Our team creates carbon inks from renewable European biomass – offering a low‑impact alternative to metallic inks and reducing dependence on graphite mining.
Printed Electronics on Renewable Substrates
We design printed electronic circuits using carbon inks and natural substrates, integrating them directly with energy harvesters and storage devices.
Bio-based or biodegradable Triboelectric Nanogenerators (TENGs)
We develop fully biodegradable or bio-based TENGs with improved output, optimised microstructures, and controllable degradation profiles.
Hybrid Energy Harvesting Technologies
By combining TENG and PENG systems, we create hybrid harvesters capable of capturing multiple forms of mechanical energy for superior performance.
Advanced Bio-Based Piezoelectric Materials
We enhance the piesoelectric properties of renewable, non-toxic materials such as PLLA and PHB and develop wood-based piesoelectric structures-enabling eco‑friendly energy harvesting solutions.
Flexible Sodium-Ion Capacitor Electrodes
We engineer bio-derived hard carbons for flexible sodium‑ion capacitors, supporting the next generation of flexible electronic devices.
Printed Electrodes for Supercapacitors
We advance printed electrode technologies to support future battery systems and sustainable energy storage applications.
Cost-Effective Carbon Solutions
We develop economical carbon materials from European biomass, reducing dependence on expensive metals and strengthening Europe’s material autonomy.
Environmental & Societal Impact Assessment
We assess the environmental and societal implications of bio-based electronics early in development, mapping risks, opportunities, and SDG contributions.
A Sustainable Electronics Demonstrator
We build a fully renewable, biodegradable, and recyclable prototype that showcases the potential of sustainable materials in real electronic systems.
Renew4EHS – Vision Statement
Our vision is to redefine the future of electronics by proving that high performance technology can be fully compatible with the principles of sustainability, circularity, and environmental responsibility.
- We imagine a world where electronic devices are:
- Made from renewable, biodegradable materials
- Powered by clean, self-harvested energy
- Supported by eco friendly energy storage systems that eliminate the need for critical raw materials
Renew4EHS strives to close the loop in the electronics lifecycle, replacing today’s resource intensive components with nature-inspired solutions such as mycelium, cellulose, and bio-based carbons. By pioneering these materials and integrating them into real-world demonstrators, we aim to significantly reduce e‑waste, enable circular production cycles, and set new standards for sustainable innovation.
Our project envisions a future where sustainable electronics are not an alternative – they are the foundation of modern technology.
Partner
Our Industrial partners
Our Scientific partners
Contact person
Priv.-Doz. DI Dr. Arunjunai
Raj Mahendran
Project Leader
Maga Dr.in Cornelia Rieder-Gradinger
Team member
More details
Lead Partner:
Wood K plus - Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH
Project Management:
Priv.-Doz. DI Dr. Arunjunai Raj Mahendran
Project partners:
Industry partners:
AdFIS products GmbH, Born GmbH, Fundermax GmbH, Head Sports GmbH, AeoniQ Holding AG, Mayr-Melnhof Holz Gaishorn GmbH, MycoFutures Ltd, Mycrobez AG, Nosi GmbH, Delfort Papierfabrik Wattens GmbH & Co. KG, PLEIONE ENERGY S.A., sendance GmbH, TIGER Coatings GmbH & Co. KG, UPM Biochemicals GmbH
Scientific Partners:
Johannes Kepler Universität Linz, Chinese Academy of Science - BINN, ETH Zürich, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
Funding Programme / Project ID:
FFG, KWF, Land NÖ, Land OÖ, BMWET, BMIMI
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