First American Scientific Corp. (fka FASC)

[Hongcouver]

ptrey and chambers,

Thank you for the BRE find. Due to that, here is some more detail on the products being developed from paper mill sludge waste............................revolutionary.....far reaching.....industry changing......

http://www.bc.bangor.ac.uk/_02_news/news2004_13_09.htm

Building a better future with recycled paper

De-inked recycled paper mill sludge could be used to produce innovative construction products thanks to a two-year research project funded by WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme).



Over 1 million tonnes of paper sludge are generated every year in the UK through paper recycling operations, and due to its properties and relatively consistent composition, it represents a very useful raw material for a range of construction products. To overcome the main barriers which hinder the uptake of alternative materials and assist mills with sludge disposal options, WRAP commissioned the research programme to explore the performance characteristics of paper mill sludge, manufacturing requirements and end market applications.



“The aim of the research was to demonstrate the technical and commercial feasibility of recycling a waste material to manufacture products that meet the necessary standards and to provide prospective manufacturers with robust evidence of the technical capability of PMR and the likely markets,” explains Jacks Guinness, WRAP’s Materials Project Officer for Paper.



The collaborative project, carried out by the Biocomposites Centre at the University of Wales and the Building Research Establishment (BRE), has developed and tested six new prototype products with varying PMR contents:

softboard – 80%
hybrid medium density fibreboard (MDF) – 45%
cement bonded sludge board – 30%
tiles – 80-85%
low density cement blocks – 2.5-5%
hardboard – up to 100%


The main advantage for potential manufacturers is that in most cases, a continuous production process is proposed which has many economic advantages over batch processes. Reasonable production times have been achieved for each product and their basic physical and mechanical properties have been evaluated and assessed against the requirements of European standards for established products.



“This project has taken forward a number of innovative ideas to use what would otherwise be a waste material to produce some promising functional products with good mechanical strengths,” says Dr Vahik Enjily, Director of BRE’s Centre for Timber Technology & Construction.

Feedback from a series of focus groups held during the project has been very positive. WRAP will now be looking to encourage the commercialisation of these construction products using paper mill sludge in order to move them into mainstream use.



Dr. Rob Elias, commercial manager of Bangor’s BioComposites Centre, concludes:

“The technical barriers for the recycling of paper mill waste have now been addressed and the new products offer great potential in the construction market. Further optimisation may be needed in some cases, but this is something that can now to be addressed working closely with a commercial partner and WRAP.”


1. WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) is a major UK programme established to promote resource efficiency. Its particular focus is on creating stable and efficient markets for recycled materials and products and removing the barriers to waste minimisation, re-use and recycling.

2. A not-for-profit company in the private sector, WRAP is backed by substantial Government funding from DEFRA, DTI and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

3. WRAP has laid down targets across twelve programmes. Nine are focused on market development, and comprise six material streams (Paper, Plastics, Glass, Wood, Organics and Aggregates) and three generic areas (Business & Finance, Procurement, and Regional Market Development). Three new programmes relate to the wider resource efficiency remit - Collections, Communications and Awareness, and Waste Minimisation.



4. Bangor University’s BioComposites Centre was established in 1989 and is a designated ‘Scientific Centre of Excellence’. From loft insulation to bio-diesel, the Centre works on recycled and natural products as effective replacements for limited resources. More information can be found at www.bc.bangor.ac.uk



5. The Building Research Establishment (BRE) is a leading centre of expertise for construction,energy and environment, Fire, security and sustainability. It provides research-based consultancy services including a wide range of events, training and information. BRE’s sister company, BRE Certification Ltd, provides certification services for security products, systems and components. More information can be found at www.bre.co.uk



6. More information on all of WRAP’s programmes can be found at www.wrap.org.uk


Contacts:

Jacks Guinness, Materials Project Officer (Paper and Glass)

Office: 01295 819904

E-mail: [e-mail]



Pat Jennings, Media Relations Officer

Office: 01295 819928

E-mail: [e-mail]

Hardboardcouver