Wood fibre, pulp, biopolymers, packaging and biochemicals

IO3 – Expand opportunities in the wood, fibre, pulp, biopolymer, packaging and biochemical industries

Impact KPI-7: Develop new wood and fibre-based manufacturing industries in New Zealand

By 2019, new capital investment will be occurring in new manufacturing industries in New Zealand as Scion’s developments in new high-value products derived from forest materials are being adopted.   

Leading indicator	Progress
By 2014, at least one manufacturer will be commercially evaluating a new packaging application developed by Scion and Scion’s partners.	Completed trial with one partner. A second trial is planned.
By 2015, Scion will have assisted at least one industry partner in producing transport fuels from woody biomass to develop a business case to enable informed decision for their further investment. (Refer KPI 8.)	Technical support was given to industry partners (Z Energy and Norske Skög) within the Stump to Pump PGP programme ($3.6 million). The programme was halted after the technical evaluation stage owing to the prevailing economic climate, particularly declining crude oil prices.
By 2016, Scion will have developed to prototype stage at least one new high-value co-product arising from wood processing that has been reviewed by a commercial partner for potential investment.	Two companies were engaged to scope product development from the lignin nanofibre/carbon nanofibre platform developed at Scion. Establishment of a spin-out company is being explored to further commercialise development of the lignin nanofibre/carbon nanofibre platform. A bioadhesives product was assessed for commercial production and its potential in the market with involvement by a commercial company. Planning for scale-up trials at a commercial plywood facility was completed. The Biopolymer Network Ltd (BPN) was supported to develop a new biobased product, with a pathway to commercial implementation defined by BPN.
By 2018, at least six new extruded products with renewable content have been developed to prototype stage and by 2019 at least two of these are incorporated in new product offerings by firms.	A new biospife formulation was developed; first scale-up trials are underway. The development of biodegradable vine guards containing renewable components commenced. The aim is to produce a product that protects the vine for the required time then degrades naturally into the environment. First prototypes of our vine guards were produced and are currently undergoing environmental exposure tests to confirm the degradability and performance profile.
By 2019, new high performance composites developed by Scion are supporting the development of new industries in New Zealand and providing direct revenue to New Zealand.	Proof-of-concept for retaining, accumulating and incorporating PHA containing biomass resulted in a material that could be the basis of a thermoformable composite panel. Thermoformed composites are growing exponentially, offering short cycle times, tailored properties, recyclability, and are applicable in the aerospace or automotive sector.