Structural Composite Construction Materials Manufactured From Municipal Solid Waste

Development of a structural plywood substitute derived from paper fiber and thermoplastic materials found in municipal solid waste is proposed. We will develop a process to manufacture a composite product made from thermoplastic materials reinforced with wood fiber derived from municipal waste paper. The resulting material will provide good strength and modulus while retaining the degradation resistance of the polymer matrix. Candidate products will be tested for tensile, compression, and flexural strength. Once all parameters of the material process have been developed, a preliminary design of a sub-scale pilot plant will be completed. This pilot plant will be built in the Phase II program. A market analysis will study existing wood and wood fiber based products to identify market sectors where our product is competitive. An economic analysis of the proposed process will determine the unit cost of candidate products and evaluate their commercial viability relative to existing wood and fiber based products.