Carrot Fibers
Curran is a material based on cellulose fibers from carrots, sugarbeet, or other tubers from the food waste industry. The fibers are twice as strong as carbon fibers and are suitable for a wide range of industrial and technological applications. Curran is produced and marketed by Cellucomp. Curran is made in a process where nano fibers found in vegetables are extracted and combined with resins into a paste that can be molded into different shapes - as a coating, in laminate sheets or even spun into thread. It also works as a thickener for paints and coatings. Lower cost than carbon or glass fibers but the process costs more than the composite itself.
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The material is sourced as a waste product of the agricultural and food industries. Carrots are mechanically broken down into tiny particles to form a paste. The paste is 93% water and 7% cellulose fibers and can be mixed with different polymers.
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Curran® semi-liquid state is easy to use by mixing with paints, coatings and resins. Compatible with a multitude of conventional resins such as epoxy, polyurethane and polyester. Available as powder, sheets and loose matting.
In paste form Curran can be dried into thin sheets and used as laminates for the construction of solid panels, for layers in skis or skateboards or on the outside of core materials such as foam.
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Produced from the carrot waste discarded in the food industry – does not compete with land for food crops. Low temperature productions and made from renewable resources.
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Curran® fibers are strong, stiff and light - with performance characteristics comparable to carbon fibre technology.
Sheets are 85% cellulose fiber and 15% resin. Bio-composites based on Curran® can be based on a variety of conventional resins such as epoxy, polyurethane and polyester.
The platelet structure of Curran® fibers provides impressive reinforcing effects in paints, coatings, concrete and some personal care products.
Resources
Lefteri, C. (2014). Materials for design. Laurence King.
https://www.cellucomp.com/products/curran
https://www.stylus.com/jktmck