BPREG Demonstrates Natural Fiber Thermoplastic Composite Component For reECONIC Project
BY Composights
Published: 18 May 2026
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Turkey-based startup BPREG Composites has supplied natural fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite materials for the reECONIC sustainability initiative, a collaborative circular economy project involving 33 industrial partners led by Mercedes-Benz Trucks, FAUN Group, and TSR Group.
The company contributed flax-based unidirectional thermoplastic prepregs, branded as EcoRein/UD, for the development of a footwell trim interior component engineered together with CENTROTHERM Systemtechnik GmbH. The demonstrator was unveiled during IFAT worldwide in Munich as part of a broader effort to showcase recyclable and lower-emission commercial vehicle solutions.
According to BPREG, the composite system combines flax fiber reinforcement with a bio-based polylactic acid (PLA) matrix, achieving approximately 98% bio-based content. The company stated that the material system delivered around 45% weight reduction compared with conventional series-production materials while lowering CO2 footprint by approximately 75%.
The thermoplastic prepregs were designed for compression moulding processes and engineered to provide high specific stiffness through unidirectional fiber alignment. Natural fiber thermoplastic composites are increasingly being explored for automotive interior and semi-structural applications because they combine lightweight performance with recyclability and lower embedded carbon compared with conventional glass fiber-reinforced plastics.
Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Izmir, BPREG develops flax- and hemp-reinforced composite materials for thermoplastic and thermoset applications, including prepregs, slit tapes, and dry fabrics for lightweight industrial structures.
The project highlights growing industrial interest in bio-based thermoplastic composite systems for commercial vehicle applications where lightweighting, circular material strategies, and reduced manufacturing emissions are becoming increasingly important.
Source : BPREG Composites | LinkedIn
