strawboard

Strawboard is a type of inexpensive cardboard made from straw, typically wheat or rice straw, as opposed to wood pulp. It is manufactured by pressing together layers of straw, often mixed with binders or adhesives, to form a rigid sheet. The process usually involves pulping the straw and then drying and pressing it into boards.

Historically, strawboard was a common material for packaging, book covers, and as a backing for picture frames due to its low cost and availability. Its primary advantage was utilizing agricultural byproducts that might otherwise be wasted. However, it is generally less durable and more susceptible to moisture damage than wood pulp-based paperboards.

In modern times, the use of strawboard has declined significantly in many applications, largely replaced by higher-quality and more resilient paperboard products derived from wood. Nevertheless, it can still be found in certain niche markets or in regions where straw is a readily available and cost-effective raw material. Its environmental credentials have also been a point of interest, as it uses a renewable resource and can contribute to reducing agricultural waste. Despite its limitations, strawboard represents an early example of material innovation utilizing plant-based fibers.