The raw material used is the noxious, invasive weed, Water hyacinth, which has become a menace in more than 60 countries, affecting the lives of half of the world population.
The Resin, Poly-fibrillated cellulose, is a new form of cellulose fiber, generated from ‘fibrillated cellulose fiber’, having properties of Cellulose nanofiber / Nanocellulose fiber.
The raw material plant is consumed completely, including the roots and stem/bulb, so that NO portion that can pollute the environment would be left behind in the water source.
The end product being manufactured, Particle board, will NOT contain any component that would give out carcinogenic Formaldehyde, like the existing resins, Urea-formaldehyde or Phenol-formaldehyde. Thus, the new Resin is 100% “Green” and healthy for use indoors.
The processing utilizes only non-toxic chemicals, though complex, in aqueous medium, and hence no pollution of environment through effluents, after removal of small quantities of plant lignin.
NO high pressure or high temperature needed for the formation of the ‘Polymer’ in the molding of the Particle board, thus, manufacturing process consumes comparatively lower energy.
Weaknesses
Difficulty in collecting the raw material from small rivers, or lakes, especially in Kerala conditions,
Market for the new product to be found out by competing with existing brands of laminated particle / chip boards and also of MDF.
As the raw material, water hyacinth, contains high water content, transportation cost would be very high,
The solid content of cellulose fiber in the raw material is very less, (about 6% only), the production cost for unit mass will become comparatively high.
Opportunities
Project would be very effective for the removal of Water hyacinth menace from the water resources and get these water bodies cleared of the weed;
Greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, generated by various means can get “Fixed” into the plant cellulose in large quantities, by converting the cellulose fibers as Boards or Tiles; a saving factor against Global Warming;
As the boards are ‘Formaldehyde free’ there will be NO EMISSION OF CARCENOGENIC Formaldehyde, and makes this board most suitable, healthy and ‘green’, for indoor construction, as for partition, cupboards, shelves, etc.
The removal of Water hyacinth carpets from the water bodies, its transportation and processing require human labour, and so job opportunities will open up for semiskilled and unskilled laborers throughout the developing countries where unemployment is a burning problem.
Removal of Water hyacinth mats from the water resources will generate the jobs that got lost due to its infestation, like drinking water availability, fishing, transportation, tourism, etc.
Threats
The existence of lots of ‘engineered wood’ manufacturers selling the formaldehyde resin containing boards and MDF worldwide would be very competitive for the marketing of the new brand.
The need for designing and construction of machinery adaptable for the specific raw material and for moulding, polymerization and drying of the pulp mix (pulp and filler mix) to form the composite product.
The collection of the raw material and its transportation would need much human labor, especially in locations where the same remains almost scattered in smaller lakes, ponds, canals, or rivers.
