Environ Biocomposite Panels - what should I make with them?

[wow]

I won an auction for a bunch of Environ Biocomposite Panels. I have panels of 1/2" and 1" thickness, sized 36.5" x 73".

Manufacturer information:

Environ Biocomposites offers panel products with no added formaldehyde made with such materials as recycled newsprint, wheatstraw, and sunflower-seed hulls.

The Environ biocomposite product line is made from recycled newsprint, a soy-based resin and color additives. Environ biocomposite is sold in 3'x6' sheet stock and available in various thicknesses. This interior decorative material is available in the following colors:

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I got quite a bit - like 12,000 pounds worth. Not sure how many of what color or size yet - don't even have it unloaded from the trailer. So, what would YOU make with it?

 

[jonny round boy]

Never heard of it, so I've no idea...  [embarassed]

What is it designed for? Countertops? Wall panelling? Cabinetry?

 

[wow]

Never heard of it, so I've no idea...  [embarassed]

What is it designed for? Countertops? Wall panelling? Cabinetry?

Basically anywhere you'd use OSB or MDF.

 

[roblg3]

COLOR CODED HOMEMADE SYSPORTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
purple for sanding.....etc

 

[Brice Burrell]

Never heard of it, so I've no idea...  [embarassed]

What is it designed for? Countertops? Wall panelling? Cabinetry?

Basically anywhere you'd use OSB or MDF.

In that case I'd use it to full the dumpster. [tongue]

 

[campbellcraft]

Don't mind Brice. I believe he was attacked by a 4+8 sheet of MDF as a child.  [big grin]

 

[wow]

Don't mind Brice. I believe he was attacked by a 4+8 sheet of MDF as a child.  [big grin]

LMAO - good one!

 

[Colonel Panic]

12,000 lbs!!! Sounds like you could make a couple of good size hernias.  ;D ;D ;D

 

[fritter63]

Does it gave a grain pattern?

Seen some cool cabinets with sheet goods like that.

 

[wow]

Does it gave a grain pattern?

Seen some cool cabinets with sheet goods like that.

I finally got it unloaded last night. Long story - a 24 hour straight-through ordeal -  which I'll spare you from.

No, it doesn't have a wood grain. In fact, it looks like granite or a man-made stone to me. Pretty cool, actually!

I didn't get any pictures while I was unloading it, but I'll try to get some and post tonight.

 

[wow]

Got some pictures. Here's a shot of the material in several piles:

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And a couple to show what the surface looks like:

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I wanted to include something to help you visualize the scale. Did it work?

[big grin]

 

[roblg3]

make some bath cabinery out of it!  sell locally.

 

[teocaf]

What was second prize?  24,000 lbs of the stuff...
My suggestion is you wait until shag carpeting comes back in style

 

[wow]

Boy, you guys are a tough crowd! Not much love for it, huh?

Yes, robig3, I immediately thought about Sysports. I am working on an idea that will take me a couple of weeks to do. I'll post pictures of that later. It will require me to use my track say, and possibly my Domino. Don't you hate it when that happens?

[wink]

And Bath cabinets are one of the things I've considered making for sale, along with stacking 'cubes' out of some of the 1/2" material in various colors. Might try them on CL.

I could also make countertops out of the 1" thick stuff, but I plan to keep some of that to make a new router table top.

And maybe a mitre saw station, complete with 1" top.

And an MFTC.

And ....

 

[Sparktrician]

You could also use it to cover up all that polyfoam insulation you bought earlier this year, then paint the whole danged mess with Benjamin Moore Sweet Pea... 

[poke] 

(Then again, you could rebuild the biffy...)

 

[teocaf]

on a more serious note than my last comment, i think it's the coloration that gives people pause.  as a way to deal with that on a practical level perhaps you can incorporate strips or squares of this and use it as a design accent surrounded by some natural light wood (even pine) or even some square steel tubing.  it seems at first glance that structurally it is made in much the same way and from similar types of materials as KIREI board.  When I built with Kirei, I used a two part epoxy (west system) on the surface so that it would add strength and wearability to the board.  Whatever you make, you can certainly play up the eco angle in order to sell it.  You can even cut some up in smaller panels and try to sell them as tops for small side tables, etc. to other makers.  I'm not sure if something made completely out of the stuff would be that attractive. 

I work with materials that are alternate to wood quite a bit, but I have not seen this stuff before.  If you would like to drop off some small offcuts (just a couple inches square) into the mail to me, I can look at it and see if any more ideas come to mind.

 

[wow]

If you would like to drop off some small offcuts (just a couple inches square) into the mail to me, I can look at it and see if any more ideas come to mind.

I will be happy to do that...just as soon as I get to spend some ship time with it!

PM me your address, please?

 

[wow]

teocaf:

I actually used a 2-part epoxy on my Maple workbench and love it!

This might also might make a really classy-looking benchtop for along the wall of the 'main' shop. Using a 2-part epoxy to finish it might make it look like granite - which would be way cool!

 

[NL-mikkla]

I have also never seen composite that looked like this.

I once did a small flooring job with a composite material, see pic

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Even though the description of the materials said you could use "normal" machinery the Kapex blade was blunt after this one days job.....