News

Simulated timber to hit packaging market

  •  30 April 2009
  • 0 comments

An Australian technology company will soon release to the market a technological revolution for the export pallet industry.

Biofiba Technologies Limited is now in the final stages in the development of Biofiba™ an extruded synthetic totally organic simulated timber made from 100% natural biodegradable renewable resources derived from corn starches and a combination of naturally grown fibres.

The company has world wide patents pending for the product, the process and raw material formulations.

The final development is being carried out with the assistance of the Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) a world renowned Australian research, development and testing laboratory specialising in Biotechnology.

Biofiba™ products will be targeted at manufacturers of timber, plastic, polystyrene and composite products currently used to make export pallets.

Company Chairman Mr Laurie Maher says Biofiba™ will reduce the dependence on timber and combat the destruction of forests from which 40% of timber harvested is used to make export pallets.

"Plastic products are made from costly petrochemical fossil fuels an ever decreasing non renewable resource with high carbon emissions," he says.

"Our company Directors have a wealth of experience and knowledge of the world export pallet industry. They have carried out in-depth investigations and invested substantially into the development of natural renewable resources which are suitable for the manufacture of an alternative product that speaks to cost, availability, workability and environmental acceptability.

"Biofiba™ products will decompose relatively rapidly and be suitable for the specific intended application, compared with current products that are generally regarded as environmentally unacceptable."

"In addition, many export pallets are used only once and then disposed of," Maher adds, "and are considered an eco menace because they do not decompose or biodegrade in land fill rapidly enough, and it’s expensive to recycle them.

"A number of states and municipalities in the USA, EU and Australasia have prohibited the practice of allowing plastic and timber pallets into landfill sites and export pallet users must now comply with strict laws and regulations regarding recycling and waste disposal in their local area of operation."

The export pallet industry is burdened with all of these issues not to mention complying with the export regulations of ISPM 15.

"Biofiba Technologies has made a significant investment into the development of Biofiba™ which is rapidly being recognised as a technological breakthrough into the use of renewable natural resources," says Maher.

"It has significant long term benefits for the global environment."

More information

Add a comment

| More
  • Posted in:

Add a comment Comments

No comments found, be the first to add one.
Thank you very much.

Your comment has been submitted.

Required

Please enter your name.

Required, but never displayed.

Please enter a valid email address.

Optional, and linked if provided.

Required and you can write upto 600 words for your comment.

Please enter your comment and limit it to 600 words.

Required

Please enter the code shown on the right.
Check this box to receive the latest updates in our email newsletter.
to get Packaging
delivered to your inbox
International bills to pay? Sign up now!