A farewell to formaldehyde: Plant-based, biodegradable composite materials developed at Cornell go to market
Contact: Blaine Friedlander
Phone: (607) 254-8093
Cell: (607) 351-2610
bpf2@cornell.edu
FOR RELEASE: April 23, 2007
ITHACA, N.Y. -- Biodegradable composites made entirely from plant materials - developed at Cornell University and soon heading to market - promise to save landfill space and reduce formaldehyde-related carcinogens in homes and workplaces.
Anil Netravali, Cornell professor of fiber science and apparel design, has created a composite material that could soon replace products like formaldehyde-based particleboard. Netravali has partnered with business expert Patrick Govang, to form e2e Materials LLC, of Ithaca, to sell a product based on one of Netravali's patents: "green" biodegradable composites made entirely from plant fiber and a resin derived from soy protein. Govang is president of e2e Materials.
Composites are materials combining a reinforcing material with a moldable "glue" or resin. Examples range from fiberglass and the carbon-fiber composites used in aircraft parts to reinforced concrete. Unfortunately, most glue now used will not break down in landfills and sometimes are toxic.
Using the Cornell technology, the new company's first product will be particleboard. Traditional particleboard contains resins based on formaldehyde, which has been found to be carcinogenic and has sometimes been blamed for "sick-building syndrome."
Industry is reducing its use of formaldehyde-based particleboard, while searching for suitable replacements, says Govang. The particleboard created by e2e is cost-competitive, and it is several times as strong as current particleboard with less weight and reduced shipping costs. Early customers include a leading office furniture company.
Earlier this month, e2e won a $100,000 prize in the first EssentialConnections.org Emerging Business Competition, sponsored by M&T Bank and the New York Business Development Corp.
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