21 January 2009

"Liquid Wood" - a replacement for plastic?

Norbert Eisenreich, a senior researcher and deputy of directors at the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology (ICT) in Pfinztal, Germany, said his team of scientists have come up with a substance that could replace plastic: Arboform -- basically, liquid wood.

It is derived from wood pulp-based lignin and can be mixed with a number of other materials to create a strong, non-toxic alternative to petroleum-based plastics...


"The cellulose industry separates wood into its three main components -- lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose... The lignin is not needed in papermaking, however. Our colleagues mix that lignin with fine natural fibers made of wood, hemp or flax and natural additives such as wax. From this, they produce plastic granulate that can be melted and injection-moulded."


The final product can resemble highly polished wood or have a more matted finish and look like the plastic used in most household items.

4 comments:

  1. And the lignin is a waste product? Marvelous, if it truly isn't harmful. I guess that would depend on the materials they use for mixing.

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  2. Can this method be used in blow moulding process, like bottles?

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  3. this is awesome, we should try to apply this for a bulk production of bags that can replace plastic ones...has anybody done that??

    Thanks for posting abt this!!

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  4. what is cost? how it is applicable

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