VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has developed a plastic replacing, fully bio-based material, which can be moulded with heat. The material is based on PLA bioplastic, which is already in commercial use.
VTT has combined it with wood-based cellulose fibres. ”We use the same pulp as paper mills,” says Lisa Wikström, head of the research team in question.
According to Wikström, bio-based plastic is not a new invention, but VTT has improved its features with cellulose. The first model product is a design chair, which has been manufactured in co-operation with VTT, Plastec Finland and Ko-Ho Industrial Design.
”We achieved all the goals we set. The proportion of cellulose in the material is remakrable, the chair looks good and the performance of the material is excellent. The chair is a little more expensive than a traditional fossile-based plastic chair,” says Wikström.