What Is a Straw Board? A Simple Guide
Straw board is a flat panel made from farm leftovers, mostly straw, pressed together with a binder. It is used like MDF or particle board for furniture, partitions and wall panels. The difference is that the main material is crop waste, not wood.
Why does straw board exist?
After the grain is harvested, straw is left in the field. Some of it is burned, which pollutes the air. Straw board turns that leftover into something useful and reduces the need for wood.
How is it made?
- Straw is collected from farms.
- It is cleaned and cut into small pieces.
- A binder is added. BIOMEBOARD™ uses a binder with no added formaldehyde.
- The mix is pressed with heat into rigid sheets.
- The sheets are finished. Our boards come in 2440 x 1220 mm sheets, 6 to 20 mm thick.
What does BIOMEBOARD™ offer?
BIOMEBOARD™ is about 95% wheat straw. There are two surfaces. Type R is raw and shows the straw flakes, which suits feature walls and branding. Type F is fine and smooth, made for paint, laminate and veneer. Test results from an IS 3087 report on a 16 mm sample:
- Density: 590 kg per cubic metre
- Bending strength: 13.4 N/mm2
- Screw holding: 1405 N (face), 850 N (edge)
- Swelling after 24 hours in water: 7.4%
- Binder: No-Added Formaldehyde
A 16 mm Type F board also tested as fire class B-s1,d0.
Where should you use it?
Use it indoors in dry places: furniture, shelves, partitions, wall cladding, signage and displays. Do not use it in bathrooms, wet zones or outdoors.
Is it the same as particle board?
They are cousins. Both press small pieces together. Particle board uses wood chips and usually a formaldehyde glue. Straw board uses crop straw, and BIOMEBOARD™ uses a binder with no added formaldehyde.
How is it different from MDF and plywood?
MDF is made of wood fibre. Plywood is thin layers of wood glued together. Straw board is made of crop straw. So it uses no timber, but it is less tolerant of water than good plywood. It is a closer match for MDF and particle board than for plywood in wet or structural uses.
FAQs
What is straw board made of?
Mostly straw. BIOMEBOARD™ is about 95% wheat straw and 5% binder.
Is straw board strong enough for furniture?
Yes for everyday furniture, shelves and partitions. It met the IS 3087 minimums in testing. It is not meant for heavy structural loads.
Is straw board fire resistant?
A 16 mm Type F BIOMEBOARD™ tested as B-s1,d0. Other thicknesses and the Type R surface have not been fire tested yet.
Can it be used in wet areas?
It is made for dry indoor areas. Water makes it swell, so keep it away from bathrooms and outdoor use. It is moisture resistant not waterproof.
Does it reduce pollution?
It gives crop residue a use other than burning. That can help, but it is one part of a bigger problem.
Does it come in standard sizes?
Yes. Sheets are 2440 x 1220 mm (8 x 4 ft).
Curious how it looks and feels? Request a sample.