Development of high-performance bamboo-based materials through densification process

Abstract

Bamboo Solutions Consulting (BSC) will be a start-up consulting firm focused on serving the comprehensive needs of bamboo businesses in terms of technology and energy optimization. With a core staff of experienced professionals and a team approach, BSC will be able to offer strategic, novel, and high-quality services. There are many landowners in Brazil with holdings of bamboo, currently not being utilized. Deriving high-performance bamboo products from rapidly grown bamboo species can have economic benefits. One such benefit will be providing a profitable avenue of revenue for them. The target is the production of the high-performance material (densified bamboo) from natural bamboo using a new approach to produce three different products which are not available in the market yet. Our technology regarding a variety of applications intends to maximize material utilization, improve the durability, dimensional stability, and mechanical properties. Besides these three main products, there will be three side products including bamboo particleboard, and two types of laminations. These byproducts are manufactured in such a way to minimize the amount of waste and to maximize the use capacity. To achieve this target and start the business, some challenges and questions need to be answered: Is there enough bamboo available for a small production unit? Where are the bamboo plantations located? How much is available? This analysis will reveal which species would be readily available for use. Although it is reported that high amounts of bamboo are planted in Brazil, there is no comprehensive study about quantity and distribution and most of the bamboo available in unmanaged forest regions are not accessible. This problem has been influencing the success of new companies that rely on the consolidated and stable flow of raw materials, with a predictable market price. In addition, many bamboo clumps are not managed. The second problem is about the process. Which is the best or most appropriate process for bamboo densification? Species widely available in Brazil, more specifically in the state of São Paulo, like Bambusa vulgaris, Dendrocalamus asper, Phyllostachys pubescens, and Bambusa tuldoides can be used for the main goal of this project. Is the Market ready to accept these type of products? How much investment is necessary for each step of the business? This PIPE project can help answering these questions to assess financial and market risks in the project as well as making the technical feasibility analyses. (AU)