Welcome to LignoTech Developments Ltd
Thermally Modified Biomass
Bio-composite plastics are made from sustainable renewable materials. LignoTech’s technology has been developed through many years of research utilising a steam hydrolysis process that thermally modifies bio waste streams making them suitable for use in bio-composite plastics. A number of bio-waste feedstocks have been successfully trialled including distillers dried grains and solubles, a co-product of the ethanol industry, corn fibre, sugar beet pulp and other crop residues.
Bio-Composite Applications
The thermally modified material in extruded pellet form has utility in thermoplastic matrices. In very fine powder format (specification sheet available) it may be used for use in more durable thermoset applications.
Competitive Advantage
While delivering a lower cost per lb price advantage, the LignoTech material has a lower specific gravity which is a key competitive advantage to reducing weight. At the same time independent testing has shown manufactured using up to 40% loading of LignoTech material improved tensile properties over other compounds.
Validation
Bio-composite pallets were tested by the National Composite Centre in Dayton, Ohio. These pallets passed the AIAG RC- Section 4.0 Pallet testing at a loading of 40% LignoTech, while the carbon content was independently validated by Beta Analytic Inc, Florida under ASTM D-6866 which included deflection, loading, compression and impact protocols.
Standard Equipment
Independent testing indicates that LignoTech material can replace a significant percentage of recycled or virgin plastic with no modification to standard injection molding equipment required.
Patents
Patents for the LignoTech process are granted in many countries around the world including the USA, Canada, China, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Europe. Further patents are granted NZ 578113, or pending USA – published as US2011/0000631.