Wheat straw + HDPE = new fence profiles.

Heartland BioComposites LLC in Torrington, Wyo., recently started extruding its Prairie-Picket privacy-fence profiles out of recycled HDPE from milk jugs plus 50% to 60% cellulose from wheat straw. The pickets are 6 ft long x 5.125 in. wide x 0.375 in. thick and come in four colors. The cellulose is processed in-house by a proprietary dry process from locally grown wheat straw, which Heartland says has stronger fibers than wheat grown in less harsh climates. Zinc borate is added to prevent mildew. The profiles are made on two custom-built twin-screw extruders with standard downstream cooling equipment. Heartland will soon launch a hollow-core composite post as well.

The project was assisted by a $1.5-million state grant and $500,000 matching local grant, which paid for erecting the building. Heartland plans to expand later this year. The profiles have a density of 65.6 pcf, compressive strength of 5791 psi, tensile strength at yield of 3445 psi, flexural modulus of 479,000 psi, and notched hod impact strength of 1.4 ft-lb/in. Nail-holding force is 236 lb, screw-holding force is 1158 lb. Tel: [phone] * www.heartlandbio.com

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