Product Design & the Built Environment/Construction
Patented fibre technology developed by Zelfo Technology transforms 100% renewable or recycled cellulose fibres and water into self-binding Zelfo® material.
With unprecedented environmental, performance and design attributes, Zelfo is an economic, adaptable and sustainable alternative to wood, plastics and other materials. 2D and 3D applications in consumer products, packaging, interior design and construction include housings, furniture, flooring and paneling.
Versatility + Aesthetics
Zelfo offers a variety of design attributes for different applications.
Surface and texture:
Flat, smooth, textured, or mottled.
Finish:
Through-body or surface treated; unfinished, matte or glossy.
Colour:
Natural, surface treated or through-body; both neutral and vibrant tones are possible. A non-oil based, single process (low energy) option for many projects requiring ColorCore® or standard laminate solutions.
Back to topMaterial Properties
Formed from cellulose (plant) fibres, Zelfo is self-binding and non-toxic, with properties that are modifiable as required by the end user.
Formable:
Available as a sheet material (currently up to 650×650x10 mm).
Additional technology is currently under review to introduce Zelfo into plastics moulding systems.
Variable density:
As light as cork or as dense as PVC.
Low/Medium density (0.5 to 0.9 g/cm3): Heat and sound insulation and some structural properties.
High density (1.0 to 1.5 g/cm3): Structural properties with insulation properties similar to MDF from thin film light transmitting screens to robust product casings.
Water resistance:
The hydrophilic nature of Zelfo may be modulated, in accordance with application requirements, via the incorporation of internal and/or surface sealants.
Fire resistance:
High density Zelfo has inherently good fire resistance (Bfs/s1 rating according to BS EN 13501). Performance can be enhanced further by the addition of fire resistant compounds. Testing for US compliance is underway.
Materials comparison:
Zelfo compared to conventional thermoplastic and timber-based materials:
| Density [g/cm3] |
Tensile Modulus [MPa] |
Tensile Strength [MPa] |
Flexural Strength [MPa] |
Impact Modulus [MPa] |
Strength unnotched | Strength [kJ/m2] notched | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zelfo HG | 0.5 | 1500 | 7 | 17 | 1800 | 2 | 1 |
| Zelfo HZ | 1.5 | 6550 | 55 | 95 | 9400 | 14a) | 6a) |
| PE-HD | 0.95 | 1000 | 25b) | - | - | -c) | 15 |
| PVC-U | 1.4 | 3000 | 60b) | 100 | - | -c) | ≥ 2 |
| PF-HM) | 1.4 | - | 25 | ≥ 70 | 7000 | ≥ 6 | ≥ 1.5 |
| Chipboard | 0.7 | - | - | 18 | 1800 | - | - |
| a) Underground specimensb) Yield Strengthc) No Fracture | |||||||
HG= Hemp (natural plant) HZ = Hemp Cellulose
(Provided for illustration purposes. Results taken during development of Zelfo made from raw hemp and hemp cellulose. Results will vary according to raw material source and manufacturing method.)
Back to topA Truly Sustainable Material
Zelfo provides the potential to upcycle fibre-based waste, can be recycled into new Zelfo material and is biodegradable. The patented Cellulose Optimization Resource Efficient (CORE) technology provides an extremely energy- and water-efficient processing method to transform fibre and water into self-binding Zelfo. Zelfo’s Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) varies by application, but its source materials, production processes and end-of-life disposal have a low carbon footprint and environmental impact.
Zelfo has the potential to contribute to Green Building project certification (e.g. LEED or BREEAM) in the following categories: use of recycled materials; use of rapidly renewable materials; use of regional materials; and reduction of construction waste through recycling. Additionally, Zelfo Technology’s U.S.-based partners are introducing Zelfo-based products for certification by the U.S. Government’s BioPreferred Program.
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