Plant Cellulose

The extraction, fabrication and applications of plant cellulose are diverse and based on regional ingredients, resources, and culture. It is largely used to produce many forms of paper and pulp but also in electronic circuit boards, as filler to make plastics for ping-pong balls, sunglasses, screwdriver handles, early film stock, textiles and any plastic that needs a fine finish. It may also be found in food packaging and as a thickener for latex paints, cosmetics and inks.

  • Widely available with unique options based on geography. Zeoform has commercialized sustainable and innovative process technology that transforms recovered biomass into coarse grade nanocellulose material.

    Cellulose can also be extracted from dung – in which the the animal’s digestive system breaks down the fibers and softens them to provide the first step of the paper making process.

  • Fibers are formed into a card-like material and press-formed together layers of paper that have been impregnated with PLA (polylactic acid) derived from corn/maze. Heat and pressure combine to melt the PLA and bind all the layers of paper together to create strong parts. Life expectancy is 3-4 and the biodegradable after that.

    To make plastics – an alkaline solution of cellulose fibers (wood or cotton) is extruded through a narrow slit into an acid bath. The acid regenerates the cellulose forming a film.

    Wellboard is a corrugated sheet material made entirely from pressed cellulose (wood pulp). It’s pliable and handles like wood.

    Zeoform produces toxic-free, 100% biodegradable, plant-based manufacturing material. It can be formed by spraying it, molding it or sheeting it.

  • Plant cellulose is biodegradable, compostable and potentially recyclable and regenerative but improvements in manufacturing processes are necessary to make it more sustainable.

    Paper production can be energy intensive and use harmful chemicals in the production process. Paper has a large recycling stream but much of the recycled paper is sent on a ship to China. Paper also needs to be bleached and the process uses large quantities of water.

    Zeoform has found innovative and sustainable solutions in manufacturing.

  • Can make flexible, styrofoam-like products and hard, durable products that look and act like wood.

Resources

Lefteri, C. (2014). Materials for design. Laurence King.

https://www.zeoform.com/ - visited 9/22

https://materialdistrict.com/material/wellboard/

https://www.architectmagazine.com/technology/could-this-compostable-material-replace-plastic_o

https://www.himalayanhemp.in/post/zeoform-and-how-it-can-be-applied-for-making-hemp-plastic

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