ARBOFORM: THE 'GREEN' ALTERNATIVE TO PLASTIC

The German company Tecnaro has developed a formable, biodegradable organic polymer known as Arboform that has the same properties as wood but can be processed as a plastic.

Jürgen Pfitzer and Helmut Nägele were the winners of the European Inventor Award 2010 in the SME and Research category for the development of the innovative "liquid wood" Arboform. The polymer is based on lignite from wood and consists of 100% renewable raw materials, saving fossil fuels and natural resources.

In their search for alternative materials, the two researchers came across lignite, the rigid component of wood, which is a previously unused by-product of pulp and paper production. The paper industry alone produces between 50 and 60 million tonnes of lignite per year. The concept was developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology; Pfitzer and Nägele founded the pioneering company Tecnor in 1998 to market their invention.

The innovative process combines recovered brown coal with natural fibres such as flax, hemp or other natural fibres to create a composite. This is processed at high temperatures, in the same way as thermoplastics, to make moulds, sheets or blocks. One of the advantages of this material is that it can be used in machines that process conventional plastics.

Arboform is a versatile and reliable material with many applications. Because of its wood-like appearance and malleability, it can be used in car interiors. Tecnaro is already cooperating with Porsche, Daimler and Fischer Automotive on possible uses. In addition to the automotive industry, Arboform can be used to make musical instruments, toys and even, because of its acoustic qualities, designer loudspeakers.

As all mouldings made from Arboform are biodegradable, the disposal of products made from this material is similar to that of naturally grown wood, i.e. by decomposition or incineration.


ARBOFORM - no other material is as innovative, economical and ecological. The possibilities here are impressively diverse.

Especially in times of rising prices for crude oil and the raw materials derived from it, an alternative is of great importance.

And now there is one - from local forests, renewable and available in sufficient quantities in the future. The base material of our urns is made of lignin and natural fibres. It is ideally suited for the production of demanding moulded parts. The possibilities for further processing and finishing also meet all requirements.


RENEWABLE RAW MATERIALS
Approximately 20% to 30% of the dry mass of woody plants consists of lignin.
They are therefore among the most common organic compounds on earth.

Lignin is a by-product of paper production and is therefore very economical.



Interesting appearance, pleasant touch

Thanks to the material and the manufacturing process, our natural urns are both pleasing to the eye and to the touch.

Wide variety of finishes possible

Our designers apply intricate designs to our urns by hand, even on individual request. We use environmentally friendly, water-based airbrush paints.

Convincing stability

Abroform urns are 100% biodegradable and can therefore be kept at home or safely buried.