Arboform® - A Thermoplastic, Processable Material from Lignin and Natural Fibers

Abstract

The natural polymer lignin is a by-product of the pulp and paper industry and every year approximately 50 million tons are generated in chemical pulp mills worldwide. So far the majority of them has been directly supplied to a thermal use for the power supply of the chemical pulp mills. This polymer lignin is the main component of a new class of engineering structural materials and parts for equipment in industrial applications using only renewable resources. ARBOFORM®, a material of this class, consists of lignin, natural fibers for reinforcement and natural additives supporting processing and properties. Although it exhibits wood-like properties, it can be processed like a thermoplastic material and used for engineering products. The mixing and compounding of granules of this material are based on standard technologies of polymer engineering. They can be injection molded and pressed like a thermoplastic raw material. The production of component parts and pressed plates from this material takes place at lower temperatures and the resulting parts show a lower shrinkage than those made from synthetic plastics. The mechanical behavior, however, is wood-like and the measured properties lie in a range of those of polyamide. Some examples of possible applications for mass consumer goods and industrial equipment, which are currently under detailed investigation, are discussed.