Vulcanized fibre as a renewable material - the only limits are set by the imagination

Renewable raw materials

In our last blog post, we showed that numerous products can be manufactured without plastic using vulcanised fibre as an alternative. However, the renewable raw material is also suitable for many other applications in which non-renewable raw materials have been used up to now. In this text, we would like to present three arguments in favour of vulcanised fibre. These arguments show that the limits of potential uses for vulcanised fibre are set primarily by the imagination of engineers.

Vulcanised fibre as a renewable raw material versus non-renewable materials

Our raw materials are finite - and are slowly running out. By 2050 we will already be running out of many building materials and metals that are irreplaceable for modern living standards and a functioning general public. At least that is what some experts predict. Various measures are needed to prevent this scenario. For example, recycling materials and using them more efficiently is only one component. It will also be inevitable to focus much more on renewable raw materials. These are - as the name suggests - not finite, but renewable on a natural basis. Vulcanized fibre, for example, consists of cotton fibres and cellulose. As a result, the material is also 100 percent biodegradable without leaving any residues even in home compost.

Vulcanised fibre as a renewable raw material is versatile

The aim must be to use more renewable raw materials in order to reduce the demand for finite raw materials. But can these materials meet the same requirements as conventional materials? In many respects the answer is yes. Let's take vulcanized fiber as an example and consider the material's properties:- high mechanical strength

  • relatively low weight
  • good electrical insulation
  • spark quenching
  • heavy burning
  • antistatic
  • insensitive to oils, fats, diluted acids and alkalis
  • great stability

The combination of high mechanical strength with its low weight makes vulcanized fiber ideal for lightweight construction, for example. Due to its low flammability and high insulation effect, the material is also interesting for mechanical, plant and electrical engineering applications. Ultimately, it is the imagination of the engineers and their willingness to design outside of traditional materials that make the difference.

Renewable raw materials - investment for the future

The investments that companies have to make today in order to integrate renewable raw materials such as vulcanised fibre more strongly into their development processes will pay off in the medium term. A common tool used by politicians is to control markets through higher taxes and subsidies. Companies that rely on renewable resources are likely to profit economically from the changing political climate in the near future. In addition, companies with the appropriate spirit of innovation can already today achieve a pioneering role with regard to renewable raw materials. It is obvious that traditional materials will soon no longer be able to meet demand and prices will rise. Companies must rethink now in order to survive in tomorrow's market - and this applies across all industries.

Vulcanized fibre: From tradition to innovation

It is now well known that global plastic production poses a threat to our environment. Our blog has therefore already taken up the topic of environmental pollution through plastic. A solution to this problem could be a traditional material. May we introduce: Vulcanized fiber, the effective alternative with which the world of tomorrow can manufacture numerous products without using plastic.

A natural material on the road to success for over 150 years

The vulcanized fibre has been known since 1855 and was first industrially produced in 1859 by Thomas Taylor. The versatile laminate quickly established itself on the market. It was used, for example, to produce suitcases and lampshades. This was made possible by the variable material properties: vulcanized fiber is a hard, tough, non-splintering and hornlike material. It can be bent, embossed, punched, cut, lasered, planed, drilled, milled, coated, printed or glued. However, the most important properties in our time were not even in focus at that time: Vulcanized fiber is based on renewable raw materials (cotton fibers as well as cellulose) and is therefore an ideal substitute for many products and applications based on plastic. In addition, vulcanised fibre can even be degraded in home compost without leaving any residues.

Plastic displaces the vulcanized fibre

In spite of its diverse material properties, vulcanized fiber has meanwhile been forgotten as a material with innovation potential. Among other things, the invention and industrial mass use of plastics contributed to this. According to researchers at the University of California, about 8.3 billion tons of plastic have been produced worldwide since 1950. Today we are feeling the consequences - and vulcanized fiber is now celebrating its comeback. True to the motto: A classic material saves the world of tomorrow.

Vulcanized fibre - a valuable substitute for the future

In contrast to so-called bioplastics, which often do not decompose completely, vulcanised fibre does not leave any residues even in home compost. The material properties of vulcanised fibre also make this traditional plastic substitute a true all-rounder. The material is suitable for numerous industrial applications. From materials for the automotive sector, lightweight construction in the building industry, medical technology and packaging materials to numerous areas of application in mechanical engineering, the most diverse uses are conceivable with vulcanised fibre.

Shaping the industry of tomorrow with vulcanized fibre

What once began with lampshades and suitcases can now shape all branches of industry and help to provide the economy with sustainable and environmentally friendly production for the future. In this respect, by no means all possibilities are exhausted, because: Although vulcanised fibre has been around as a material for more than 150 years, its modern use is still in its infancy and offers far-reaching potential for the future. Now it is up to companies to rethink and use a traditional material as the basis for tomorrow's innovations.

Vulcanized fiber lasercut

SAVUTEC® vulcanized fiber is ideally suited for laser processing. The material allows fast traverse paths, highly precise contours and requires no post-processing. Even webs smaller than 1mm remain stable thanks to the high strength and withstand even stress. This means that even elastic flex bands can be contoured. Our partner Laserdesign Christian Prasch has specialized in the filigree and precise cutting of vulcanized fiber.

The sustainability aspect of SAVUTEC® vulcanised fibre as a natural material made from renewable raw materials combined with the perfect properties for state-of-the-art processing techniques creates an important basis for the economic development of ecological substitution strategies.