BalanceBoard – Wood is replaced by annually-regenerating fibrous plants
Göttingen/Neumarkt 02.02.2011
Göttinger scientists at the faculty of forestry and Pfleiderer AG developed an innovative composite. MBM ScienceBridge, the technology transfer organisation of the University of Göttingen, successfully negotiated the license agreement between the University of Göttingen and Pfleiderer, one of the world's leading manufacturers of engineered wood. BalanceBoard has been now successfully introduced to the market at the fair BAU 2011 in Munich.
Göttingen/Neumarkt, 28th January 2011 - During the BAU 2011 exhibition Pfleiderer AG will be presenting their new material for the first time - BalanceBoard. With up to 30 per cent made up of raw material which grows back quickly in place of wood, BalanceBoard is really setting the benchmark for sustainability, processability and security of supply.
The raw materials found in BalanceBoard grow back in one season
“Four years of intensive development work have paid off,” states Dr. Hans-Kurt von Werder, Head of Pfleiderer Group Technology. He goes on to add that in collaboration with a team from the Georg-August-University of Göttingen under the direction of Prof. Dr. Alireza Kharazipour (Institute of Forest Botany) they have succeeded in creating the basis for a new generation of engineered wood-based products. “Pfleiderer has subsequently developed and implemented the associated manufacturing process for industrial installations”, says Dr. von Werder.
“A completely novel material,” acknowledges Michael Wolff, Chairman of the Board of the Pfleiderer Western Europe Business Center. “We have made a big step forward and have gained the lead in innovation.”
“BalanceBoard impressively demonstrates the innovative potential of cooperation between economy and academic science“, says Dr. Jens-Peter Horst, manager of MBM ScienceBridge GmbH, the technology transfer organisation having arranged the cooperation between Pfleiderer and the University of Göttingen.
BalanceBoard heralds a new generation of engineered wood-based products
BalanceBoard consists of approximately 30 per cent annual plant matter which will grow back completely over one season. It is available in large quantities close to the production plant. This allows Pfleiderer to become less dependent on the wood market which is increasingly undergoing price rises. “Supplies of our organic alternative to wood will be available for generations to come, fulfilling all the requirements for running a sustainable and responsible operation,” says Wolff.
Granular biomass acts as a store for CO2
A key objective during development was to ensure that BalanceBoard, which weighs up to 30 per cent less, fulfils the technical demands of comparable standard chipboard, according to Dr. von Werder. “Installers will not need new equipment, special fixings or new techniques in order to work with BalanceBoard. They can use their standard equipment and joint components as usual. “This not only conserves our customers’ resources but also our forests and our climate. Because - as with wood - our plant granulate acts as a store for CO2,” Wolff explains. “Ultimately, as long as the board is in use, with BalanceBoard we are capturing the carbon that collects in one season in fast-growing raw materials which would otherwise be released during the natural decaying process.”
About MBM ScienceBridge:
MBM ScienceBridge GmbH is the technology transfer organization of the Georg-August-University of Göttingen and acts for 9 German universities and research facilities in Lower Saxony. The IP portfolio managed by MBM ScienceBridge covers innovation in the areas of Life Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Agriculture, Foresty and Medical Technologies.
More information: www.sciencebridge.de
About Pfleiderer:
The SDAX-listed Pfleiderer Group is one of the worldwide leading manufacturers of engineered wood, surface finished products and laminate flooring. The company and its approximately 5,600 employees operates 22 plants in North America, Western and Eastern Europe. Pfleiderer is the preferred partner of the furniture industry, specialist and home improvement stores, and interior design suppliers.
More information: www.pfleiderer.com
Contact person for editors:
Pfleiderer Holzwerkstoffe GmbH
Emerenz Magerl
Communication / PR
Ingolstädter Straße 51
92318 Neumarkt
Phone: 0 91 81 / 28-334emerenz.magerl(at)pfleiderer.com
