While paper as a medium of information is declining in demand, paper as a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging is gaining interest. In light of these changes, the paper industry is seeking new growth by developing highly-functional paper material that can replace plastics. To this end, the industry needs to develop paper with high-barrier and strength properties, as well as technologies that can improve recyclability of such material. Beyond paper, the industry is also developing novel wood-based chemicals that can replace traditional fossil-fuel derivatives. For these to become commercially viable, the industry needs to focus on achieving cost-competitiveness. Finally to reinforce these two initiatives, the government needs to engage in active dialogues with the industry leaders and provide related R&D support.

While paper as a medium of information is declining in demand, paper as a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging is gaining interest. In light of these changes, the paper industry is seeking new growth by developing highly-functional paper material that can replace plastics. To this end, the industry needs to develop paper with high-barrier and strength properties, as well as technologies that can improve recyclability of such material. Beyond paper, the industry is also developing novel wood-based chemicals that can replace traditional fossil-fuel derivatives. For these to become commercially viable, the industry needs to focus on achieving cost-competitiveness. Finally to reinforce these two initiatives, the government needs to engage in active dialogues with the industry leaders and provide related R&D support.

The physico-mechanical properties of wood-plastic (WP) boards were evaluated and compared with those of conventional boards (sugarcane bagasse particleboard, plywood board and sugarcane bagasse fiberboard) more commonly used in Cuba. The WP board was made with waste from the forestry industry (sawdust), industrial waste (thermoplastics) and chemical additives in amounts of 50, 30 and 20%, respectively; the board was obtained by extrusion molding. Results were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis test and Fisher's LSD post-hoc multiple comparisons analysis to determine differences relative to conventional boards. Results indicate that the physical properties of wood- plastic boards improved with increasing density. Water absorption and swelling were lower than in conventional boards, whereas the mechanical properties (bending, compression and tensile strength) were higher. Tensile strength, bending and compression in the wood-plastic boards were statistically similar (P > 0.05) in the plywood. Given their properties, it can be concluded that wood-plastic boards are able to replace both conventional and wood boards in outdoor conditions. | Las propiedades físico-mecánicas de los tableros de madera plástica se evaluaron y compararon con los tableros convencionales (tablero de partículas de bagazo de caña, tablero contrachapado y tablero de fibras de bagazo de caña) más utilizados en Cuba. El tablero de madera plástica se elaboró con residuos de la industria forestal (aserrín), residuos industriales (termoplásticos) y aditivos químicos en proporciones de 50, 30 y 20 %, respectivamente; el tablero se obtuvo mediante moldeo por extrusión. Los resultados se analizaron con la prueba de Kruskal-Wallis y comparaciones múltiples post-hoc DMS de Fisher, para determinar las diferencias con relación a los tableros convencionales. Los resultados indican que las propiedades físicas de los tableros de madera plástica mejoraron con el aumento de la densidad. La absorción de agua e hinchamiento fueron menores respecto a los tableros convencionales, mientras que las propiedades mecánicas (flexión, compresión y tracción) fueron superiores. La tracción, flexión y compresión en los tableros de madera plástica fue estadísticamente similar (P > 0.05) que en los tableros contrachapados. Dadas sus propiedades, se considera que los tableros de madera plástica son capaces de sustituir tanto a los convencionales como a los de madera en condiciones de intemperie.

The high density and poor thermal insulation of traditional wood-plastic composites limited the application in the field of building materials. In this paper, wood fiber (WF) and PLA were used as raw materials and azodicarbonamide was used as the foaming agent. Lightweight WF/PLA composites were prepared by the hot-pressing foaming method, aiming to obtain renewable, low-density material with high strength-to-weight ratio and thermal insulation performance. The results showed that after adding 20 % WF into PLA, the cell morphology was excellent and the cell size was uniform. The magnification reached the minimum value of 0.36 g/cm³ and the foaming magnification was 3.42 times. The impact strength and compressive strength were 3.16 kJ/m³ and 4.12 MPa, its comprehensive mechanical properties were outstanding. The thermal conductivity of foamed materials was 0.110–0.148 (W/m·K), which was significantly lower than that of unfoamed materials and common wood. Its excellent mechanical properties and thermal insulation can be suitable for application in the construction field to replace traditional wood.

Currently, there is a big issue with waste, its processing and subsequent use. While there are many initiatives to replace materials that are poorly biodegradable, it is necessary to process and ideally use the waste that is already produced. In this study, the properties of composite boards made of waste materials and biodegradable polymer were investigated. The composite boards were made from wood and plastic waste using high-energy milling technology. This technology for material preparation is promising, as it includes controlling the morphology of particles, homogenizing the mixture, and drying the material during the milling process. The results showed higher flexural strength of high-density fiberboard (HDF) boards compared with tested composites with one exception. Wood/poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) [PHBV] composite exhibited 30% higher modulus of elasticity (MOE) than HDF due to the higher modulus of PHBV. The lowest thickness swelling (3%) and water absorption (12%) were measured for wood/recycled high density polythene (rHDPE) composite. The HDF boards recorded the lowest dimensional stability. The highest water absorption of tested composites was measured for wood/PHBV composite. The resistance to wood-rotting fungi was greatest for wood/PHBV composite containing marble powder, which corresponded to the results of scanning electron microscopy.

Currently, there is a big issue with waste, its processing and subsequent use. While there are many initiatives to replace materials that are poorly biodegradable, it is necessary to process and ideally use the waste that is already produced. In this study, the properties of composite boards made of waste materials and biodegradable polymer were investigated. The composite boards were made from wood and plastic waste using high-energy milling technology. This technology for material preparation is promising, as it includes controlling the morphology of particles, homogenizing the mixture, and drying the material during the milling process. The results showed higher flexural strength of high-density fiberboard (HDF) boards compared with tested composites with one exception. Wood/poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) [PHBV] composite exhibited 30% higher modulus of elasticity (MOE) than HDF due to the higher modulus of PHBV. The lowest thickness swelling (3%) and water absorption (12%) were measured for wood/recycled high density polythene (rHDPE) composite. The HDF boards recorded the lowest dimensional stability. The highest water absorption of tested composites was measured for wood/PHBV composite. The resistance to wood-rotting fungi was greatest for wood/PHBV composite containing marble powder, which corresponded to the results of scanning electron microscopy.

Wood plastic composites (WPCs) are produced from a mixture of wood (in different sizes) and resin (thermoset or thermoplastic). This product has many applications as structural and non-structural materials and since its emerge in market its use received an increasing trend. Adding wood flour to polymer not only improves its mechanical properties compared to net polymer, but also leads to products with moldability characteristics. With increasing demand of WPCs and reduction in forest harvest according to new protecting law of forestry, and lack of raw materials for producers, other lignocelluloses materials replace wood flour. Agricultural by-products such as hemp, coir, rice husk and bagasse (residual from sugar cane extraction) are the examples that can be used in WPCs. As the outdoor application of Wood Plastic Composites (WPCs) becomes more widespread, the resistance of its products against weathering, particularly ultraviolet (UV) light becomes more concerned. When WPCs are exposed to outdoor, ultraviolet (UV) light, rain, snow and atmospheric pollution, they will be degraded which is marked by color fade and loss in mechanical properties. Nowadays many manufactures of WPCs use bagasse as a raw material. Their production in different color and shapes are used as arbors and pergolas and also as decorative applications for outdoor uses. However, so far there has been no research done on the effects of weathering on composites made from bagasse. In present study, composites from bagasse and high density polyethylene, with and without pigments in master batch, have been made through extrusion. Then samples were exposed to accelerated weathering for 1440h. After this period of time samples were removed and their chemical, mechanical and surface qualities were studied. The results have shown that using bagasse as filler can relatively reduce the discoloration of weathered samples. Moreover, adding pigments to WPCs can increase colorstability, while it would cause higher loss in mechanical properties.

The present study explores solid-state cryomilling for the compounding of green composites. Herein, wood plastic composites (WPCs) composed of sawdust (SD) and poly(&epsilon:-caprolactone) (PCL) with various compositions were prepared. Two compounding techniques, namely, extrusion and cryomilling, were utilized to prepare WPC raw material pellets and powders, respectively, for comparison purposes. Flat pressing was further utilized to prepare WPC films for testing. Morphological, structural, thermal, mechanical, and surface wettability properties were investigated. Results indicate the advantages of cryomilling in producing WPCs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) along with optical micrographs revealed well ground SD particles and uniform distribution in the PCL matrix. Tensile strength and elongation at break of the composites declined with increasing SD content, however, the modulus of elasticity significantly increased. Water contact angles averaged less than 90&deg:, implying partial wetting. Visual observations and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated thermal stability of composites during processing. In conclusion, PCL/SD WPC is a potential candidate to replace conventional plastics for packaging applications. This would also provide a much better utilization of the currently undervalued wood waste resources.

Wood waste from construction sites represents an environmental and financial burden. Furthermore, there is a need in everyday practice to replace CO₂-intensive construction materials and especially Portland cement, with less polluting alternatives such as slag, metakaolin, hydraulic and non-hydraulic lime, or magnesium cement, among many others. In this scenario, an eco-friendly insulator made of recycled wood chips embedded in a lime-metakaolin binder was proposed and assessed for application in the construction industry. The influence of curing regimes on carbonation, microstructure, compressive and flexural strength, density, and thermal conductivity was studied. Specimens were cured in three subsequent environments of variable duration: (i) under a plastic sheet with high moisture content, (ii) exposed to drying in standard lab conditions and, (iii) in a CO₂ incubator. Pre-conditioning of the specimens before the CO₂ curing, affected the carbonation efficiency and subsequently microstructure and mechanical properties of the biocomposite. Carbonation rate (from different curing regimes) affected mechanical properties also when comparing fully carbonated specimens, leading to different engineering properties of the biocomposite. Density and thermal conductivity were less impacted overall.

Synthetic pollutants are a looming threat to the entire ecosystem, including wildlife, the environment, and human health. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are natural biodegradable microbial polymers with a promising potential to replace synthetic plastics. This research is focused on devising a sustainable approach to produce PHAs by a new microbial strain using untreated synthetic plastics and lignocellulosic biomass. For experiments, 47 soil samples and 18 effluent samples were collected from various areas of Punjab, Pakistan. The samples were primarily screened for PHA detection on agar medium containing Nile blue A stain. The PHA positive bacterial isolates showed prominent orange&ndash:yellow fluorescence on irradiation with UV light. They were further screened for PHA estimation by submerged fermentation in the culture broth. Bacterial isolate 16a produced maximum PHA and was identified by 16S rRNA sequencing. It was identified as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia HA-16 (MN240936), reported first time for PHA production. Basic fermentation parameters, such as incubation time, temperature, and pH were optimized for PHA production. Wood chips, cardboard cutouts, plastic bottle cutouts, shredded polystyrene cups, and plastic bags were optimized as alternative sustainable carbon sources for the production of PHAs. A vital finding of this study was the yield obtained by using plastic bags, i.e., 68.24 &plusmn: 0.27%. The effective use of plastic and lignocellulosic waste in the cultivation medium for the microbial production of PHA by a novel bacterial strain is discussed in the current study.