Hi-tech ‘Zelfo’ factory to produce biodegradable products from plants.

San Francisco, California (PR LEAP) 20th October, 2006

Zelfo is a new material that uses just plants - no glues, no resins or toxic materials of any form in any part of production.

Zelfo History

The product Zelfo is not new, a prototype material being first developed in 1992. It stems from a long-time patented material that had not yet found its way into commercial scale production. The venture is assisted by the inventor and patent holder of the Zelfo material, Martin Ernegg, Asia’s leading hemp movement WOM Pacific, sustainable business manager Mitra Ardron and long-time industrial hemp consultant Paul Benhaim, the first major factory is currently being constructed and will be in full production later this year.

Why Zelfo

What is so special about this project is the material – Zelfo. Zelfo is a renewable (biodegradable) plant based material that may be formed into various products (eg furniture, musical instruments, home ware, lighting, kitchenware etc.) Zelfo is super strong and may be formed to various densities. Zelfo will be manufactured to third party designs. Zelfo will use predominantly hemp fibre for its strength. Sugar cane, jute, flax, sisal, straw, recycled textiles, waste paper, dust from hemp and flax processing, brewery draff and other cellulose bearing fibres may also be utilized. Being a natural product it will offer the unique hand-made look and feel to various products that can be naturally coloured with pigments to form shades of brown, ochre, black, white, green, blue, red, yellow and violet.

Zelfo is not only good looking – see the photo gallery on the website (EDITOR: high res photos available), it is price competitive and, unlike plastic injection moulding, relatively small runs are cost-effective.

Zelfo is an alternative to conventional synthetic materials such as plastics, various metals, recycled glass, fibre glass and other chemically processed materials.

Zelfo is sustainable in all ways. The production of Zelfo uses no chemical glues or resins. The factory will take advantage of solar and green energy and will look to recycle its water usage using advanced reed-bed technology. Biodiesel heating will further assist in power in what will end up being a sustainable factory site that may find its way in the next few years to a town near you.

Zelfo Applications

Zelfo is ideal for 2-20mm thick cylindrical applications. Thinner Zelfo is translucent (lighting applications), thicker for strength applications (furniture). Zelfo may also be produced at various densities with the lighter densities suitable for its insulating properties. Zelfo is a natural, living material and requires the same care and maintenance as required for wood and is not suggested for applications requiring complete immersion in water – though technology for this is part of existing R&D. No matter what finish is chosen - textured, matt, pearl or highly polished, Zelfo is ideal for many industries. To understand it’s unique properties contact Zelfo.
Zelfo has already won numerous design awards in pre-production trials in Europe and we look forward to supporting designers with applications for future awards with the multiple abilities Zelfo offers.

Zelfo wants you

For now, national and international renowned artists, designers and manufacturers are sought for product ideas. Zelfo does not plan to distribute any of these products, but will produce, for example a range of chairs or bowls or tables for interested parties. Contact Zelfo now for more information.
www.zelfoaustralia.com

NOTE: Mitra Ardron is currently in the US meeting with interested parties until 16th November. He may be reached in San Francisco on +1-415-931-8796 or at mitra@zelfoaustralia.com, or on his Australian mobile +61-414-648-722. He will also be visiting Vancouver 29th & 30th October and Seattle 31st Oct – 2nd Nov.

Zelfo Australia Pty Ltd
PO Box 1069 Mullumbimby NSW 2482 Australia

Editors please note: pictures and further information is available on request.

How is Zelfo Produced:

By use of a patented refining method, organic raw materials are specially processed. The potential of naturally occurring cellulose fibres within the material are used to create exceptional mechanical bonding properties