Creating composites

A British Columbia start-up company is marketing a versatile line of biocomposite materials to manufacturers worldwide, thanks to researchers at the National Research Council Canada (NRC).

With help from the NRC Industrial Materials Institute (NRC-IMI) in Boucherville, Quebec, JER Envirotech of Delta, British Columbia has developed wood-plastic composite (WPC) materials that combine organic fibres from agriculture and forestry waste with new or recycled polymers, such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

The result is a ’green alternative’ that offers the best characteristics of both wood and plastic - better rot-resistance and higher stiffness.

JER’s biocomposites are sold in pellet form for use in injection moulding and plastic extrusion. Peter Kelly, chief technology officer for JER Envirotech, said: ’We sell WPC pellets as a raw material to plastic processors, who turn them into commercial products.

’We also produce WPC sheeting for use in many applications such as building materials, flooring and signage.’

JER’s customers currently include Centoco, a Windsor, Ontario-based injection moulder of plumbing products and Sprig Toys of Colorado.