Introduction - Introduction to Polymeric Composites with Rice Hulls - page 10

Wood flour/rice hulls with PP bio-composites tend to be lower in cost and weight than
unfilled resins or glass-filled resins. They are competitive with calcium carbonate-
filled or talc-filled PP resins in terms of cost, performance and processing. They
also have the advantage of lower density, which reduces their effective cost and can
be beneficial in transportation and other uses that put a premium on light weight.
Applications can include automotive, construction, sports, toys and other consumer
goods. Polymeric composite materials are especially suited for products with thick
walls and those that require excellent rigidity and dimensional stability. PCRH offer
the combined properties of wood and plastic: excellent moisture barriers, the ability
to be screwed or nailed like wood, and an 'organic' look and feel. If products from
PCRH are used outdoors, very little or no maintenance is required and, unlike wood,
several pleasing profiles can be produced for many applications.