Tough bio-derived and biodegradable wood plastic composites (2017-2021)

This project pioneers the development of tough bio-based and biodegradable wood plastic composites (WPCs), directly addressing a key end-user demand: performance of bio-WPCs must be at least comparable with existing commercial WPCs. The key innovations are (i) developing a new high performance, biobased and biodegradable WPC by incorporating native spinifex-derived nanocellulose fibres, and (ii) ensuring excellent, molecular-level dispersion with a novel low-cost and energy-efficient wet-mix technology. The project is significant as it will lead to new products and markets for the globally challenged Australian forestry industry and for rural and indigenous Australia, maximising Australia¿s competitive advantage in biomass-derived product.