Weyerhaeuser THRIVE™ Composites
THE DIFFERENCE
INSIDE
™
Cellulose Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics
STRONG : SUSTAINABLE : ADAPTABLE : CONSISTENT
INTRODUCING WEYERHAEUSER
Diverse Uses
In a range of applications, THRIVE
composites replace a variety of
fiber-reinforced and fiber-filled
thermoplastics, as well as filled
and unfilled styrenic polymers, for:
– Automotive parts
– Office furniture
– Household goods/kitchenware
– Small and large appliances
– Industrial goods
– Consumer personal goods
– Building and construction goods
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A CHANGING WORLD
The world is changing, and the plastics market is
evolving along with it. Consumers want products
made from materials with sustainable attributes.
Manufacturers want lightweight, environmentally
responsible materials that do not compromise cost,
quality or efficiency. Until now, these materials were
difficult and expensive to source. With Weyerhaeuser’s
series of THRIVE composites, however, manufacturers
benefit from significant advantages over many
thermoplastics reinforced with short glass fibers or
naturally occurring fibers, such as sisal, hemp and
kenaf. THRIVE also provides advantages over both
filled and unfilled styrenic plastics.
A WORLD-CHANGING PRODUCT
Weyerhaeuser has invented an efficient, practical
method for incorporating cellulose fiber into
thermoplastic composites. Developed specifically
for the plastics industry, THRIVE composites contain
a specially engineered cellulose fiber extracted from
trees grown in sustainably managed forests. This
revolutionary breakthrough addresses an emerging
global interest in using natural fibers as thermoplastic
reinforcing additives.
Available both in masterbatch form for custom
compounders and in ready-to-mold thermoplastic
composite pellets for molders and extruders, THRIVE
composites are produced using a proprietary process
that allows cellulose to disperse within a polymer
matrix, creating an aesthetically pleasing finished
component.
Compared to alternatives, THRIVE composites reduce
part mass, introduce a variety of manufacturing
efficiencies including higher productivity and reduced
energy use, and offer finished-part performance
benefits.
Key Benefits of THRIVE
Composites
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Lower part mass without compromising
component utility and performance
Improved manufacturing efficiency
Less energy to produce finished parts
Full design flexibility
T H R I V E
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C O M PO SITE S,
TH E
D IF F E R E N C E
INSIDE
™
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PRODUCT TYPES
For complete design freedom, THRIVE composites are
available in three basic families: recycled, standard
fiber dispersion and enhanced fiber dispersion. Each
family includes a masterbatch product for custom
compounders and ready-to-mold thermoplastic composite pellets for injection molders and extruders. In
any form, THRIVE composites minimize the need for
customers to reengineer manufacturing processes.
Based on your specific requirements, we make
THRIVE composites available in a variety of fiber levels
and grades. Customers can select low to high modulus from among several base polymers with various
melt flow indices (MFI). This ability to fully customize
THRIVE composites results in improved molding times
across a range of tensile and flexural properties. See
the chart on the following page to determine which
THRIVE composite is right for your application.
THRIVE COMPOSITES ARE AVAILABLE IN THREE
BASIC FAMILIES: RECYCLED, STANDARD FIBER
DISPERSION AND ENHANCED.
Recycled Standard
Enhanced
Dispersion Dispersion
Design Right
Freed from the constraints of traditional
thermoplastic composites, designers have
more flexibility than ever before. From color
choice to partial or complete fiber dispersion,
designers have complete aesthetic control
with THRIVE composites.
And THRIVE’s mechanical properties — lightweight yet strong, flexible and resilient,
adaptable for use with other thermoplastics
and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), excellent
moldability and thin-section fill — make it
the smart, renewable choice in a variety of
demanding applications where style and
performance both matter.
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THREE THRIVE TYPES
THRIVE Recycled
THRIVE Standard
THRIVE Enhanced
Benefits
For customers interested
in emphasizing a product’s
sustainability attributes
For customers who want
highest strength with fiber
visibility
For customers who want
impact resistance with
reduced fiber visibility
Aesthetics
Moderate fiber dispersion
Moderate fiber dispersion
Enhanced fiber dispersion,
moderately translucent
Color
Black only
Full color range
Full color range
Percentage
Cellulose Fiber
10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%
10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%
10%, 20%, and 30%
MFI range
5–35
5–35
5–35
Cost
Economy pricing
Basic pricing
Premium pricing
Available in Multiple
Base Polymers
THRIVE composites can be customized using
a range of fossil-fuel and bio-derived base
polymers, including:
•Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
•Low- and high-density polyethylene
(LDPE and HDPE)
•Polypropylene (PP)
•Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
See our website at www.THRIVEcomposites.com
for a complete list of offerings, or contact us to
discuss how to customize THRIVE composites
for your unique needs.
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FEATURES AND BENEFITS
SUPPLY CHAIN ADVANTAGES
THRIVE composites offer a variety of benefits at every
stage in the supply chain, from custom compounders
to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). As these
benefits accumulate, they create value and savings
throughout the production process. From design
aesthetics to attractive economics, THRIVE
composites add value every step of the way.
CUMULATIVE SUPPLY CHAIN BENEFITS
PRODUCTIVITY
Custom Compounders
Molders/Extruders
and Parts Assemblers
Original Equipment
Manufacturers (OEMs)
•Easy to compound
and convey
•Improved molding
cycle time
•Lower part mass
savings
•Reduced wear and
tear on equipment
•Reduced energy
requirements
•Attractive system
economics and value
•Reduced wear and
tear on equipment
•Strong value
•Consistent quality
and supply
•Mildly hygroscopic
(does not readily
absorb moisture)
•Meets key performance
standards
•Excellent flowability
and thin-section fill
•Improved chemical
resistance
•Better surface bonding
•Odorless
•Product attributes
•Broad molding
contribute to improved
processing temperature
environmental
range, including high
performance
temperatures
PERFORMANCE
•Reduced part warpage
and uniform shrinkage
in certain geometries
•Simple to integrate
with other additives
DESIGN
•Ease of use across
multiple “workhorse”
polymers and TPE
materials, including
styrenic and olefinic
compounds
•Complete aesthetic
and design flexibility,
from color palette to
fiber dispersion
•Natural alternative
to short glass fibers
•Lightweight yet strong
•Flexible and resilient
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BENEFITS OVER ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS
Compared to composites reinforced with
short glass fibers
Compared to both filled and unfilled styrenic
and olefinic compounds
•Improved molding cycle time (up to 35% faster)
•Reduced mass (cellulose fiber is 40% less dense)
•Less abrasive, reducing wear and tear on tools
and equipment
•Comparable mechanical properties
•Lower energy requirements during the injection
molding process
•Lower finished composite density per part
(up to 8% weight savings)
•Better surface bonding
•Superior mold flow in large components
•Strong knit-line strength in multigated components
•Fast filling of molds to optimize production
•Better performance at higher temperatures
•Higher modulus
•Improved chemical resistance
•Lower wall thickness
EFFICIENCY GAINS
The chart below illustrates how THRIVE composites reduce part mass, decrease cycle time and save money.
CELLULOSE FIBER COMPOSITE
THRIVE GRADE
10DX
THRIVE
COMPOSITE
DESCRIPTION
10% cellulose
COMPARED TO
POLYMER
FAMILIES*
CYCLE–TIME
SAVINGS (%)
POTENTIAL MASS
SAVINGS (%)
POTENTIAL
COMPONENT COST
REDUCTION (%)
PP
15–20
3–4
3–4
ABS
15–20
15–20
10–12
PS, HIPS
20DX
20% cellulose
30DX
30% cellulose
40DX
40% cellulose
8–10
5–12
15–18
PP
26–42
6–8
7–9
ABS, SMA
20–35
15–20
16–19
PS, HIPS
10–12
5–9
12–14
PP
20–42
3–4
3–5
ABS, SMA
22–38
14–25
17–25
PS, HIPS
10–12
5–9
12–14
PP
30–42
2–3
3–5
*Data refers to neat (pure) and glass filled. Polypropylene (PP). Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Polystyrene (PS). High-impact polystyrene (HIPS).
Styrene maleic anhydride (SMA).
From reduced energy requirements in
manufacturing to lighter-mass finished
parts, THRIVE composites help you more
successfully manage your environmental
footprint. What’s more, THRIVE composites
can be remolded without significantly
affecting performance characteristics,
making them a more sustainable option
than many alternative materials.
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A WORLD LEADER
With more than 13,000 employees worldwide,
Weyerhaeuser is a global leader in cellulose fibers
and other forest products. For more than a century,
our innovative sustainable solutions have delivered
superior results for customers, have enhanced lives
and have improved the planet.
SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY
Cellulose fiber is first produced in nature’s most
powerful and abundant factory: trees. And
Weyerhaeuser is one of the world’s foremost tree
growing experts. In fact, we’ve pioneered many of
the fundamental concepts of sustainable forestry,
and highly respected third parties — including the
Dow Jones Sustainability Index — have acknowledged
our leadership. Globally, 100 percent of our forestland
is certified sustainable by independent third parties.
All of our North American forestland adheres to
the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) standard.
Today, we oversee nearly 21 million acres of forestland,
which we carefully manage using sound scientific
principles and environmentally responsible techniques.
Weyerhaeuser only harvests a small amount (from
1–3 percent) of our total forest acreage annually,
and most areas are replanted soon after harvest.
In 2012 we planted more than 63 million seedlings,
a process of ongoing renewal that ensures forests,
and the products that come from them, meet present
and future needs.
The Weyerhaeuser
Advantage
More than 110 years of expertise
Responsible sourcing of raw materials
Sophisticated research and development
capabilities
Global supply/distribution network
Abundant fiber manufacturing scale
and resource availability
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RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Weyerhaeuser spearheads one of the most
sophisticated forest products research and
development centers in North America.
A talented team of scientists, engineers and
technicians explore new uses for cellulose fiber,
conduct real-world equipment testing for new
applications and support customer technical
challenges. From insight and know-how to new
ideas, you’ll benefit from our expertise.
BOTH GLOBAL AND LOCAL
We have decades of experience producing
high-purity fibers ton after ton. Weyerhaeuser’s
Cellulose Fibers business produces more than
2 million tons of cellulose fiber-based products
annually. Two-thirds of these products are shipped
to customers outside North America. Whether
you are a large global company or a small family
business, we are committed to ensuring the
highest levels of customer service and satisfaction.
What is Cellulose Fiber?
One of the most common organic compounds
on the planet, cellulose fiber is also one of the
world’s most useful natural materials. Found
in most plants, it is the main component of
cell walls and gives wood its remarkable
strength and resilience.
A natural polymer, cellulose is composed
of linked sugar molecules and is used to
produce a variety of textiles, paper and
absorbent materials in diapers and other
hygiene products.
Manufactured by Weyerhaeuser from softwood
trees grown in sustainably managed forests,
this remarkable natural fiber inspires our
passion for innovation.
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WEYERHAEUSER:
AT A GLANCE
Founded in 1900, Weyerhaeuser is one of the world’s
premier forest products companies. Our vision is to
provide our customers with superior sustainable
solutions that make lives more comfortable and
improve the world. Our four core businesses include:
sustainable forestry. Our approach helps ensure the
availability of this remarkable renewable resource
for generations to come.
HOMEBUILDING
Weyerhaeuser is one of the largest homebuilders
in the United States, and we deliver superior customer
satisfaction through a nimble, entrepreneurial
approach to building homes that puts the customer
front and center.
CELLULOSE FIBERS
We supply approximately 25 percent of the world’s
fluff pulp. Our global supply channels and sophisticated
manufacturing capabilities ensure we meet our
customers’ needs today and tomorrow.
WOOD PRODUCTS
With brands recognized worldwide, our innovative
building products are ideal for residential, multifamily
and light commercial projects. We make construction
faster, simpler and less wasteful.
TIMBERLANDS
Responsible for managing nearly 21 million acres
of forestland, we are one of the world’s largest
private landowners and a recognized leader in
ECOSYSTEM
SERVICES
LOG &
FIBER
SALES
FOSSIL
FUELS
MINERALS
FOREST
MANAGEMENT
CARBON
WIND
ENERGY
LAND &
FORESTS
WOOD
PRODUCTS
HOMEBUILDING
GEOTHERMAL
ENERGY
CELLULOSE
FIBERS
BIOFUELS
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LAND
DEVELOPMENT
BIOCHEMICALS
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FROM TREE TO THRIVE
FROM TREE TO THRIVE
SUSTAINABLE
FORESTRY
Millions planted
annually
LOG
PROCESSING
97% of log used
MOLDED
PART
Renewable, recyclable,
strong, lightweight
CHIPPING
LOG RESIDUALS
Lumber leftovers
blended for consistency
MOLDING
THRIVE pellets
injection molded
PROCESSING
COMPOUNDING
PELLETIZING
Made standard size
Polymer
Engineered
Cellulose Fiber
Purified
cellulose
blended
with
polymer
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Specially
engineered
cellulose fiber
extracted
Lignin and
hemicellulose
used for fuel
and more
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CONTACT US TODAY
To bring the benefits of THRIVE composites
to your operations, or for product samples,
specifications and pricing, call your THRIVE
team today at 1.855.826.2276.
For more about THRIVE composites, including
product data sheets, visit our website at
www.THRIVEcomposites.com.
Weyerhaeuser
PO Box 9777
Federal Way, Washington
98063-9777
www.weyerhaeuser.com
Weyerhaeuser, THRIVE, and THE DIFFERENCE INSIDE are trademarks of Weyerhaeuser NR. © 2013 Weyerhaeuser NR Company. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.
DEC 2013