I found this green product interesting and with a lot of potential.
CornBoard™ is a version of wood composite board that uses corn husks and stalks (commonly referred to as corn stover) remaining in the field after corn is harvested. The structural composite is prepared by mixing the fibrous corn component with a polymer matrix, laminating the mixture, and applying heat and pressure.
In contrast to traditional particle board, plywood, or medium-density fiberboard, CornBoard™ developed at CBMI will be repurposing an underutilized biomass material. For every acre of corn grown, (over 86 million acres are grown annually in the U.S), over 4,000 pounds of corn stover is left in the field. Appropriating this biomass material into new and innovative products is an efficient and environmentally conscious means of stewardship.
CornBoard™ is a green technology in that it traps CO2. Typically, when biomass is left to decompose in the field, the CO2 previously captured and consumed by the growing plant is released back into the atmosphere. Conversely, when the corn stover is made into CornBoard™, the CO2 is “trapped” in the material. Sequestering CO2 in CornBoard™ alleviates the contribution of the decomposing biomass towards an increase of CO2 in the atmosphere.
CornBoard™ also provides an alternative to wood products, thereby reducing the demand on a less renewable resource. According to CBMI, just 2 acres of leftover corn stover biomass would produce enough CornBoard™ to build a two story house supplying the roof decking, flooring, and outer wall sheathing. CBMI uses a non-toxic resin binder in CornBoard™ production. This method is a safer and more environmentally conscious choice than a traditional formaldehyde-base binder.
CBMI can produce CornBoard™ in varying densities, allowing for a variety of applications. Due to this flexibility, CornBoard™ is not limited to being a wood composite board replacement, but is also being developed into a variety of products including home and lawn furniture, kitchen cabinets, door cores, and even a full line of longboards.
Via Illinois’ Technology Basis for Unique and Versatile Corn-Based Structural Composite and more at the Corn Board Manufacturing website.
You are right. This green product is interesting. I work for McGraw-Hill, and you should check out all of the resources they have for green building supplies. It's important for the environment for everyone to do there part in keeping it clean.
ReplyDeleteCorn stover does, however, add needed biomass to the soil. If this technology is combined with some type of interplanted cover material such as clover...perhaps a much cleaner, greener method of growing corn can be achieved.
ReplyDelete