Pacific Northwest Fiber is proposing a project to evaluate strawboard as a substrate for the production of laminated materials. Our objective will be to determine the proper pretreatment of strawboard, the appropriate adhesives for each class of laminates, and the best procedures for achieving a bond that will pass the standard tests for the intended products. Further tests will evaluate the performance under stress and over time. After testing is complete the company will determine the economic feasibility of incorporating those production processes that are identified as physically possible using the strawboard substrate. This action to culminate in a report to the board of directors and those persons in the community who could use this information to support the development of new economic activity in the regional economy. ANTICIPATED RESULTS & POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS OF RESEARCH With the successful completion of this project the stage is set to begin to manufacture and market laminates made from strawboard. The initiation of this activity will see the market for agricultural residues expand and agriculturally-dependent communities will have new processing and manufacturing opportunities available for development.
