Opponents of PVC and toxic chemicals released by plastics rejoice – a natural plastic has been created from wood.
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICT in Pfinztal and the Fraunhofer spin-off TECNARO GmbH have developed the material, which they call liquid wood or “Arboform”.
Wood and other plant matter contains a substance called lignin that is very sticky and behaves like glue. The material for the new Arboform, lignin-rich biomass, may be harvested from forestry or crop waste that would have otherwise been used as mulch.
The nativity scene pictured was made from the new material.
