New Wood-Plastic Composites to Boost Industry

Oregon State University Press Release, 2 Oct 2006 Wood science researchers in the College of Forestry at Oregon State University have developed new wood-plastic composites that are stronger and less expensive than any similar products now available -- a major breakthrough for this growing industry. The new wood-plastic composites use superior compatibilizers and an innovative technology for mixing wood and thermoplastics such as nylons, in which the melting temperature of the plastic is higher than the wood degradation temperature. With this approach, the new wood-plastic composites can use very inexpensive plastics such as those found in old carpet fibers -- about 4.4 billion pounds of which are now wasted every year, going into landfills where they are extremely slow to biodegrade and pose a significant waste disposal problem. Read more