Plastic can now be made from a wood based oil, according to Finnish researchers.
Ali Harlin, professor at VTT technical research centre of Finland, said industrial biomaterials refined from wood could be used in packaging, construction and composites, with potential for major business.
He said the latest techniques had made it possible to produce biomaterial films to replace aluminium on the inside of drinks cartons – which would make recycling of the cartons easier in the future.
Biomaterial use in paints, insulation materials, glues and composites also offer significant opportunity in construction.
“As long as people know what they want, then of course we can find the solutions with biomaterials,said Mr Harlin.
