HELLO, KIA!
We’re so excited to be engaging with you on this Grain Development project! The samples (Box 1, 2, 3) sent to you on March 4, 2024, are a selection of unique colored/textured designs, coupled with our current signature formulations and treatments. Our materials start as a liquid slurry containing cellulosic fibers and other biobased ingredients, which is injected into a system of molds to form a desired 3D shape. These materials have a high bio-based content, and early testing indicates that some of our materials can be recycled as paper as well as biodegrade within 2 years.
For these samples, we selected three Simplifyber formulations that we feel would be suitable for car interior applications, namely “Armor,” “Shine,” and “Resist,” and you will find out more about these formulations below.
Simplifyber is a platform technology; and, because of that, we can easily “tune” our materials to achieve your vision for particular look and performance specification by selecting sustainable raw ingredients (i.e. low impact plants, recycled consumer materials, agricultural waste materials, etc.). So, we offer a wide range of mechanical performance, abrasion resistance, water resistance, texture, flexibility, and gloss.
A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE FORMULATIONS
ARMOR: Charcoal
Description: Durable Structured Material
Biobased content: 94% (without coating)
This Simplifyber formulation contains white cellulosic fibers that received a 100% bio-based pigment dispersion to obtain the charcoal color. Additionally, the swatches were treated with a coating that delivers outstanding toughness; abrasion resistance; excellent chemical & mechanical stability; good film color, clarity, & gloss; and excellent resistance to heat & light aging.
SHINE: Dark Gray
Description: Durable Structured Material
Biobased content: 94.5% (without coating)
This Simplifyber formulation contains gray Lyocell fibers, gray wood pulp, and black hemp offering a dark gray with contrast fibers. Additionally, the swatches were treated with a biobased and free from organic solvents coating that delivers high flexibility & light fastness, as well as good abrasion resistance, mechanical stability, and film color, clarity, & gloss.
RESIST: Warm Gray
Description: Durable Structured Material
Biobased content: 94.5% (without coating)
This Simplifyber formulation contains gray Lyocell fibers, a blend of bleached wood pulp, and hemp fibers offering a light gray color with contrast fibers. Additionally, the swatches were treated with a waterborne coating that delivers hydrolysis resistance, high elongation, good adhesion to a plastic matrix, and flexibility.
CONTENTS OF EACH BOX
Boxes 1 & 2 contain the main molded samples. Box 3 contains a formulation swatch kit (Armor, Shine, Resist), a strength swatch kit (Strength #1, #2, #3, #4), and an assortment of additional experimental samples with alternative colors and designs. The provided strength swatch kit demonstrates a range from higher flexibility (Strength 1) to higher strength (Strength 4). Simplifyber can tailor the formulation and range of strength & flexibility per your request.
BOX 1: Gray Color Palette - Main Samples
BOX 2: Other Color Palette – Main Samples
BOX 3: Formulation Swatch Kit, Strength Swatch Kit, and an assortment of experimental samples
