In the mid 1990s, plastic-hailed as a miracle material and a product of cutting-edge science- started replacing metal, wood and glass in most consumer durables. But then, boffins started speaking about its toxicity and how long-term use could spell ecological disaster for our planet. LIQUID WOOD Now more than half a century later- in the absence of a viable alternative- this non-biodegradable material is still in use everywhere. The pen within your reach is made of it, your cell phone is too; look around, so are the water bottles in your refrigerator, the computer on your desk, and even your children’s toys. Thankfully, chemists have been working hard at work for last few decades to create sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives that do not use petroleum products in their mix. Australian company, Zeoform and the Germany-based Tecnaro have independently developed durable materials that could replace plastic in the very near future. Zeoform’s material (also known as Zeoform) is made using water and cellulose from recycled paper and renewable plants like flax and industrial hemp. The resulting pellets and sheets can be sprayed or molded to build furniture, jewellery and even musical instruments. Halfway around the world, Tecnaro’s Arboform- aka ‘LIQUID WOOD’- is made from natural resins and the leftover fibers created by the paper industry. The ensuing mixture can be injected into moulds to make just about anything that plastics can be used for- and it’s entirely recyclable. It can be sawed, burned and disposed of just like wood. This new material is certainly the material of the new era. The time has come for some serious innovations to save the planet from ever increasing pollution and degradation. With the introduction of liquid wood in our lives it will truly eliminate the use of plastics thus safeguarding the nature in their own way.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 07:42:21 +0000
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