Biofiba has announced entry into a joint venture transfer of technology deal with Huaxin Green Spring Environmental Co. Ltd, of Beijing China. The Gosford, NSW Australia-based firm will see its unique and patented technology utilized for the extrusion of biocomposite material produced at a freshly built 20,000 square meter manufacturing plant, situated in the Tongzhou Science and Technology Park, Beijing PRC. The facility will use the leading edge Biofiba extrusion equipment to generate Biofiba biocomposite simulated timber. Scheduled to begin production in November 2015, initial capacity will be 12,000 tonnes. Commercial availability is anticipated in December 2015 or in January 2016.
According to Laurence Dummett, Biofiba chairman, independent testing has confirmed performance comparable to wood pallets. This has been validated by field testing. Dummett believes pricing will be competitive with wood, and in some markets will be more attractive than plastic.
The Material Engineering and Science division of the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (“CSIRO”) provided technical development and testing support for the project.
Biofiba has licensed marketing distributors in place in several key markets, including, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, South Africa, Thailand, the U.S., UK/EU and Canada, with more to be announced.
Biofiba® is produced from natural fiber, primarily industrial hemp, in conjunction with a compostable biopolymer resin and will biodegrade into harmless compost at the end of its useful life. According to the company, Biofiba components can be manufactured into pallets with regular pallet assembly methods and equipment.
Source: Biofiba press release and additional comments
Related Article
CSIRO Awards 2 Million in Funding to Manufactuing Startup
