Compression molded natural fiber composites is a well-established technology in the marketplace especially in automotive interiors. The bast fibers are first blended with polymeric fibers into non-woven mats and then compression molded into two-dimensional ‘flat parts’.
A new breakthrough technology blends bast fibers with plastic resin into a “compounded pellet”, similar to commercially available glass fiber reinforced plastic pellets. This proprietary technology and process lends itself to all plastics processing methods including injection molding, compression molding, extrusion, etc. and for all three-dimensional products.
The photo to the left shows the manufacture of the Natural Fiber Reinforced Plastic (NFRP) compounded pellets at commercial production rates. NFRP pellets can be run on all existing molding equipment. A 6,000,000 Lb. pilot plant has been funded to produce these pellets.
