HybridS

Sustainable Hybrid Structures

Sustainable Hybrid Structures (HybridS)

In response to the global push for sustainability, the field of structural design is undergoing a transformative shift toward integrating environmental responsibility and resource efficiency into engineering practices. Despite significant advances in sustainable materials, current engineering approaches often lack comprehensive integration of sustainability throughout the design, manufacturing, and end-of-life phases.

HybridS addresses these challenges through interdisciplinary research that combines structural and materials engineering. The project develops pioneering methods for innovative hybrid structures that integrate steel, fiber-reinforced composites, and other advanced materials, offering a pathway to lightweight, high-performance, and sustainable engineering solutions. By leveraging the unique properties of each constituent material, these structures maximize strength, reduce weight, and improve durability, while also considering end-of-life aspects such as recycling and reusability.

Key research areas include sustainability-driven structural optimization, comprehensive performance assessment under varying environmental conditions, advanced fire-resistant solutions, bio-composite systems, and scalable, energy-efficient manufacturing processes. The work targets applications in the marine, transport, and heavy machinery sectors. Five demonstrators will validate the developed concepts and technologies, supporting industrial adoption and scalability. Through a structured research framework, HybridS will establish a new scientific foundation for next-generation hybrid structures, enabling innovations that are both structurally robust and environmentally sustainable.

Centria’s role

Centria University of Applied Sciences leads the project’s work package on bio-composite assessment and manufacturing. Centria contributes its expertise in composite materials, large-scale additive manufacturing, thermoplastic compounding, and industrial-scale 3D printing. The project also leverages Centria’s advanced research infrastructure for developing recyclable moulds and sustainable composite manufacturing technologies.

Partners

Aalto University, coordinator
Centria University of Applied Sciences
Konecranes, BF Veturi company
Meyer Turku
Lico Oy
Raision Valmisasennus Oy
Tampere University

In-kind partners

Baltic Yachts
CSI Composites
Finnester Coatings
Oy Scan Mould AB
Fibrobotics
Napapiirin Hamppu