High-tech bridge built with flax

Flax matts Photo: Smart Circular Bridge The University of Stuttgart is contributing to innovations for climate protection as part of the EU project "Smart Circular Bridge". [Picture: Smart Circular Bridge] An old material is being rediscovered: flax has been with us for thousands of years in the form of clothing, sacks, and robust ship's ropes. Now the plant fibres are experiencing a renaissance and could become the building material of the future. Combined with a special bio-resin, it can be made into a light and highly stable material with properties comparable to aluminium or steel. The EU project "Smart Circular Bridge" shows what is possible with this innovative new material: via the development of three bridges from this so-called bio-composite. A first one has now been built, and two more will follow. Junior professor Hanaa Dahy from the University of Stuttgart is involved in the project.