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he Spanish Toy Research Institute, or AIJU, has developed a plastic (PE) compound made from almond shells. The end result is a material with a wood-like appearance.

The institute says the material has better properties than non-reinforced plastics, with better tensile, bending, hardness, density and temperature resistances increase in reference to PE without the additive. The viscosity at non-elevated temperatures increases as well, says AIJU.

The obtained formulations can be transformed by injection processes in a similar way to non-compound materials, although the pellets must go through a drying process to eliminate the absorbed moisture in the shell before the transformation and the temperature must not exceed 220ºC in the process to avoid the almond shell decomposition.

In parallel, AUJU is developing a new material with almond shell for transformation in Rapid Manufacturing processes. Test specimens have been successfully sinterised for their characterisation and the enhancement of the recycling characteristics are being worked on as they loose properties and must be rejected after several uses in the process without being sinterised.

AIJU is a non-profit making organisation, located in Ibi, the geographic centre for the manufacture of toys in Spain. It was founded in 1985 with the collaboration of the Spanish Toy Manufacturers Association (AEFJ) and the Regional Government (IMPIVA).