PU from acacia bark waste strengthens ramie fibres

Bogor, Indonesia – Acacia mangium is extensively grown in plantation forests in Indonesia, However, the uses for the bark waste from pulp and paper making are limited, not least because of its black coloration. This bark is a rich source of tannins, and these complex flavonoid compounds might be used as bio-based polyols to make polyurethanes.
A range of tannin-based polyurethanes have been developed by scientists in Indonesia. The aim was to create more environmentally friendly resins that could be used to modify ramie fibres. Ramie is derived from the plant Boehmeria nivea, a member of the nettle family that is native to east Asia, and widely used in industrial textiles.