RheTech Inc. has entered the biocomposite market with a new compound based on Braskem SA’s high density polyethylene and a biologically derived fiber.

“We wanted to take advantage of Braskem’s development of a renewable-based polyethylene to create a product that uses bio fiber and a green polymer,” states RheTech vice president of business development Jim Preston, in a news release. “Our initial product offering uses our wood fiber in combination with the sugar-cane based, high density polyethylene.”

Whitmore Lake, Mich.-based RheTech is aiming the composite at environmentally friendly, high performance applications in automotive, consumer and construction industries.

Braskem is a major polyethylene producer based in Brazil that runs a 440-million-pound-per-year plant that makes PE from sugar cane-based ethanol.

RheTech said it will develop composites based on other fiber such as rice hulls, agave, flax and coconut shell.

Tel. 800-869-1230 or 734-769-0585, fax 734-769-3565.