A new sustainable industry is being built in the Northern Rivers. As oil prices skyrocket, alternatives have been sought and solutions dreamt about for some time. A new company, Zelfo Australia has the answer – and it comes from nature.
Zelfo is a new ‘plastic’ material made from 100% plants such as industrial hemp and sugar cane. The process uses no glues or resins and is 100% biodegradable.
This new super-strong and highly aesthetic material is being produced to suit various markets including furniture, homeware, musical instruments and even eco-coffins.
Products that have been made from Zelfo include a Georgio Armani bowl, an award winning chair and stool as well as musical instruments, jewellery and other products that are traditional made from wood, fibre glass, glass and some plastics.
Designers from Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Perth are literally queuing up to have their product made from Zelfo, produced in Mullumbimby, New South Wales.
This is a new industry that will affect the furniture, interior decoration and homeware industries just as Nylon did for textiles. Zelfo looks to work with high-end designers, manufacturers and builders to produce alternatives to their existing products.
“We do not foresee our products making wood or plastics redundant just yet,” states Mangaing Director Paul Benhaim “Zelfo products are attractive to designers and business’ wanting strong, quality eco-friendly replicable ranges with a quality ‘handmade’
Rounded objects with modern curves are a breeze, and with facilities to produce 2mm thin translucent light fittings to large 2m x 1.5m x 1.5m pieces such as the ‘eco-coffin’
The commercial factory will be powered by green energy, recycle as much of its water as possible, and emit no toxic wastes. “Integrity and ethical authenticity is a key foundation to our business,” states Paul Benhaim, “Quality without Qualms and Strength with Sustainability are our mottos.”
Raw materials that may be used include sugar cane, hemp, jute, flax, waste paper and textile scraps. What is your vision for a Zelfo future?
www.zelfoaustralia.com