What if you could turn agriculture waste into usable pallets that have some of the key benefits of plastic pallets without the cost of molds and the ability to easily make custom sizes? What if you could do this at a competitive cost to medium-duty plastic pallets? What if this is a business that wood pallet companies could easily add to their product mix?
These questions all point to the possibility for pallet companies with the innovative new product called Biofiba®. Now in production, Biofiba is a 100% biodegradable bio-composite produced using a patented profile extrusion process. The extruded product is a combination of previously underutilized hemp bast fiber and a biopolymer resin. The product does not contain any harmful chemicals and is ISPM-15 exempt.
Biofiba planks are produced and shipped in accordance with the length, width and thickness requirements of the pallet manufacturer, thereby minimizing waste. Biofiba has the same workability and similar physical properties as timber, according to Sean Ritchie, Biofiba Canada Distributor and a company director. As a result, he said, the Biopallet® can easily be assembled using wood pallet conventional manufacturing processes, including hand tools and automated nailing lines. Ritchie added, “A pallet manufacturer does not need new equipment for our product.”
“We do not make pallets – we make planks for pallet manufacturers,” emphasized Ritchie. “Our job is to raise awareness and direct orders to the manufacturers who are purchasing the Biofiba planks. Of course Biofiba planks make the Biopallet.” Biofiba Canada is looking to sell the Biofiba material to North American wood pallet producers.
The Biopallet is described as an ideal solution for pallet suppliers dealing with customers who have a low risk tolerance for quarantine at international ports of entry. While the Biopallet is a premium priced pallet compared to wood pallets, its price point competes favorably with medium-duty plastic pallets, for example. It also will be very interesting as an alternative pallet for non-standard sizes or planks for lead deckboards to improve pallet performance, durability and lower repair costs. The company is also looking into producing Biofiba blocks. Ritchie states this is a product the company will provide in the future.
At the end of its useful life, Biofiba material can be co-mingled with wood waste in a grinding system, or safely landfilled, where it is designed to decompose in anaerobic conditions. For more information, contact Sean Ritchie at Biofiba Canada at 604-941-1001 or visit http://www.biofiba.com/what-is-biofiba.
