The UltraFibre project is complementary to, and builds upon, earlier research efforts.  The previous research work focussed upon processing of the already decorticated natural fibre and developments of matrix and composite formulation.  UltraFibre takes a step back to the fibre production itself and focuses on the integration of technologies to improve the quality of the fibre raw materials.  Moreover, it integrates fibre modifications within the process. 

The project aims to develop an industrially scalable new hydro-acoustic technology to extract natural fibres for application in composites with high quality. This will enable SME natural fibre growers to process their products into consistent, high quality fibres suitable for the supply into the composite materials processors and end user markets.

The social objectives are :

• To promote the economic prosperity of SME natural fibre cultivators.
• To promote cooperation between material suppliers, converters, farmers, research centres and end users of the plastic products.
• To increase the competitiveness of European industry and, in particular, small to medium size businesses to maintain and grow the 140 billion Euros sector.
• Protect jobs for 1,500,000 people and expand employment opportunities.
• New patents and exploitation opportunities of the processes and formulations developed.
• To improve the skill levels throughout the supply chain.