In a world polluted with plastic, where a whopping 91% of the stuff isn’t recycled, there are scientists and companies around the world trying to create a biodegradable and sustainable material that is comparable to the plastics found in everyday packaging.
Last week, Stora Enso, a leading provider of renewable solutions, introduced DuraSense, a wood-based biocomposite which is to serve as a substitute for fossil-based plastic.
According to the press release, “the DuraSense granules are a combination of natural wood fibers, polymers and additives offering the mouldability of plastic with the sustainability and workability of wood.”
Production began earlier this year in Hytle Mill, as Stora Enso invested 12 million Euro in a brand new factory that has the capability to produce 15,000 tons of wood fiber composites.
“Reducing the amount of plastic and replacing it with renewable and traceable materials is a gradual process. With DuraSense, we can offer customers a wood-fiber-based alternative which improves sustainability performance and, depending on the product, significantly reduces the carbon footprint – all the way up to 80%,” says Jari Surominen, Head of Wood Products at Stora Enso.
The work doesn’t stop there, as DuraSense can also be further fused with recycled or bio-based polymers, increasing its environmental value. This material can be used in a variety of applications from kitchen utensils and lifestyle products to furniture and automotive parts—the possibilities are endless.
Patrica Oddshammar, Head of Biocomposites at Stora Enso says, “DuraSense can reduce the consumption of plastic materials by up to 60%, ensuring fewer microplastics end up in the environment. Stora Enso’s biocomposites can be reused as a material up to seven times or recycled along with other plastic materials or, alternatively used for energy recovery at their end of life.”
Stora Enso’s is taking great strides towards a greener, plastic-free planet, and who doesn’t want that?
