10 June 2013
Scion technology that enables wood fibres to be used to reinforce polymers is to be commercialised in North America. The Crown Research Institute has agreed to extend Sonae Industria Group's exclusive European "Woodforce" licence to the other side of the Atlantic. It is also keen for New Zealand companies to commercialise the technology on its home soil.
Sonae Industria has held the exclusive European licence since mid-2011 and in December of that year launched the technology as "Woodforce", a name that accentuates the strength and consistency of the wood-fibre polymer product. Since then Scion and Sonae Industria have successfully worked together to scale-up the technology for commercial production and also build the European market.
Invented by Scion, the technology binds wood fibre in pellet form to produce 'dice'. A major advantage of the wood fibre dice over agricultural fibres is that they behave just like plastic pellets in the manufacturing process. This ease and accuracy of handling means the dice can be fed directly into conventional extruders, from which the compound can then go into injection moulding as well as profile extrusion for processing as fibre-reinforced plastics.
Scion CEO Warren Parker says "Manufacturing capability in North America, in addition to Europe, will increase Sonae Industria's ability to fully utilise the technology and supply major markets as demand grows."
As a multi-market licensee, Sonae Industria is very well placed to respond to the growing global market for natural fibre composites by providing a globally uniform supply of Woodforce that consistently meets global standards and specifications.
Scion has also provided Sonae Industria with a timeframe to access the Asian market, which will facilitate future expansion of the Asia Pacific market.
"We are very conscious of our responsibility as a Crown Research Institute to ensure New Zealand further benefits from this innovation.
"While no New Zealand company took up the opportunity to take the lead in the world market, a role remains for local companies. A unique aspect of the technology is that it can readily use existing plant and processes, and our agreement with Sonae Industria maintains opportunities and markets for local companies to exploit the technology," said Dr Parker.
Wood fibres typically have lower costs and more consistent supply than other fibres, and wood-fibre reinforced plastics are stronger, lighter and have a lower environmental footprint than many plastics they would replace.
Applications for this wood plastic reinforcer are wide-ranging and include automotive parts, household goods, furniture, extruded products and hardware componentry.
Scion will continue to provide technical support to Sonae Industria. There is still room to develop the product with different formulations and polymers .
Scion developed and patented the technology under its biofibre research programme funded by New Zealand's former Foundation of Research, Science and Technology (now the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment).
Source: Scion media release
Established plantations of pine, macrocarpa and Douglas-fir over 40 hectares now co-exist with carefully positioned ornamental trees on the long and narrow property running 16 kilometres from the highway to the sea.
Often circling the plantations are lusitanicus and cypress that will remain standing when timber trees are harvested.
Another 30 ha of native bush is protected by QE11 covenant and the couple have fenced from stock about 100 ha in gullies for their personal pleasure.
Charles Wiffen said the trees had been planted at the 1400 ha farm as much for providing a pleasant working landscape as for shelter and shade for stock. He said they had made a point of planting oaks, poplars and cypress for variety.
The Wiffens, who also run a Blenheim vineyard and manage the Charles Wiffen label, have been at Inverness for 48 years with Charles' father first running the farm. Elms, maples and "every oak you could think of" now line the property.
Farm Forestry Association award judge Neil Cullen, Balclutha, said the trees were an example of good land use.
Many of the "awkward" corners and gullies had been planted in small tree blocks, shelter belts and ornamental trees to provide shade and shelter appreciated by stock this dry summer, he said.
"I was impressed with the way they have managed the property as far as land use goes. It's a long, stretched out property 16km to the ocean and although there is only 40 ha of tree blocks in 1400 ha a lot of the property isn't suitable for forestry because of access problems."
Wiffen said he was a farmer first and a forester second, but he had always appreciated trees for the qualities they brought to a farm.
Story by Tim Cronshaw, © Fairfax NZ News. To read the full story, click here.