(Fort Worth, Texas) --- Tim S. Kilpatrick, CEO of Stramit USA, and the Stramit USA board of directors today announced the launch of an innovative construction material manufacturing company that produces unique building components and systems at its 88,000 square foot facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Stramit’s process combines traditional light gauge framing with a proprietary and sustainable Compressed Agricultural Fiber (CAF) thermal insulator to yield Stramit CAFboard™, a component that can replace traditional building materials like fiberglass insulation, gypsum board, medium density fiberboard, particle board, and sound-proofing panels in a wide range of commercial and residential structures.

According to the company, the attributes of Stramit CAFboard™ are remarkable due to the natural source: straw that is often otherwise tilled back into the earth or burned when left over after a wheat harvest. Instead, use of such straw avoids an undesirable carbon event and creates a new, secondary cash crop for wheat farmers. Stramit purchases the straw to manufacture building components that are non-toxic, mold and pest resistant, energy efficient, highly sound absorbent, and nearly fireproof.

“The concept of taking a valueless by-product from one process --- in this case the wheat harvest --- and creating something of value is what we refer to as ‘upcycling,’” explained Phil Morley, AIA, Director of Design and LEED AP at Stramit USA. “Stramit’s process produces a carbon-neutral product that is strong and durable. These materials are good for the environment from start to finish and can help those seeking LEED credits for their building projects.”

The heart of the Stramit manufacturing process is a specialized machine nearly as long as a football field. Straw bales are placed on the machine’s conveyor, broken apart, screened to remove debris and short strands, then dropped down a chute before being compressed under extreme heat and pressure into a rigid board that is finally wrapped in heavy duty organic paper and cut to project-specific lengths. 

The end result, Stramit CAFboard™, is a completely organic product with no added formaldehyde or VOC’s that can replace traditional building materials such as fiberglass insulation, gypsum board, medium density fiberboard, particle board, and sound-proofing panels.
“Many traditional construction materials currently available to builders and consumers contain unhealthy levels of formaldehyde and other toxins,” said Tim Evans, Stramit executive vice president of sales and marketing. “Plus, many standard building materials are highly flammable, are poor heat and sound transfer barriers, and they generate extensive construction site waste that is ultimately deposited to the landfill. We believe Stramit CAFboard™ is the perfect solution to overcome all these building-related problems.”

Stramit USA makes these construction materials, panel systems, and other related components under highly controlled conditions in their Fort Worth factory then delivers them to jobsites on an as-needed basis.

Stramit leverages construction benefits further when it combines CAFboard™ with traditional light gauge steel framing from mostly recycled steel to produce a unique panelized building system. When compared to conventional methods, this system can reduce construction time for building shells to as little as 10 percent of traditional construction time. 

  “If a traditional construction project takes up to 10 weeks, you could expect the Stramit panelized system to take about one week,” said Mr. Evans.
“And, unlike conventional construction, there is zero jobsite waste, further reinforcing Stramit’s goal of being authentically green,” reiterated Mr. Morley. “Projects seeking LEED certification can utilize CAFboard™ and CAFsteel™ in working to earn a number of LEED points.”
Stramit USA has worked closely over the past 16 months with Stramit UK preparing to introduce this remarkable manufacturing process to North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. A formal launch takes place on June 5, 2012, during an invitational event at the facility located on 6.5 acres about five miles south of downtown Fort Worth. At the event, Stramit leadership will demonstrate the company’s unique manufacturing process, and the official program will include remarks from Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price; The Honorable Todd Staples, Texas Commissioner of Agriculture; U.S. Green Building Council’s Rhiannon Jacobsen, Director, Strategic Accounts; and Stramit USA executives.

“Stramit and compressed agricultural fiberboard have a long and proven history in the United Kingdom and throughout Europe,” Mr. Kilpatrick said. “It’s time to bring this product and a new level of environmental stewardship to North America, as well. It’s simply the right thing to do, and we anticipate a broad and eager acceptance of the technology and its products.” 

About Stramit USA
Stramit USA is an innovative manufacturer of sustainable building products, with corporate headquarters and plant facilities on Lubbock Avenue in Fort Worth, Texas. Stramit develops unique, environmentally friendly construction materials from recycled steel, and wheat and rice straw---a natural source material that is commonly destroyed. Stramit is committed to do more with less, to be good stewards of our natural environment, and to do its part in protecting our planet’s future. 

  To learn more about the Stramit USA vision, visit www.stramitusa.com. The company is also on Facebook and Twitter.
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