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.