Cellulose fibres producer Josef Ehrler (Jelu-Werk, Rosenberg / Germany; www.jelu-werk.com) has introduced a new bio-composite material branded as “Jeluplast”. The family-run company says the matrix materials employed are crude oil-based PE and PP, thermoplastic starch (TPS), polylactide (PLA) as well as sugar cane-based PE. The share of cellulose and wood fibres used in the materials ranges from 50-70%, a company spokeswoman told Plasteurope.com.

Thanks to its antimicrobial properties, the WPC material is also suitable for the production of toys, including toy bricks, the company said, adding that Jeluplast feels and smells like wood. The material can be injection moulded, extruded, compression moulded, blow moulded and foamed. When combined with PLA and TPS, the material is said to become biologically degradable or compostable.

Jelu-Werk has capacity to produce 45,000 t/y of cellulose from wood, wheat, oat, sugar cane and bamboo. Of this, some 38,250 t/y are earmarked for powder and meal for use as fibres in the food industry or as food supplements for pets and farm animals. The remaining 6,750 t/y go into bio-composites production. Jelu-Werk’s 65 employees posted sales of EUR 27m in 2014.