Plastics Lumber Trade Association

PFM polymeric flow model PLTA Plastics Lumber Trade Association... 

In 1999, the Plastic Lumber Trade Association reported that RPL was growing at a 30 percent annual rate. Growth of plastic lumber was been fueled by growing knowledge about performance properties of the material and how they relate to composition, as well as by the develcmment of performance standards such as the standard test methods developed by ASTM. By 2005, nine ASTM test methods for RPL had been established, along with two standards for plastic/fiber composites. However, growth of plastic lum-her has slowed, and the Association has not placed an annual report on their web site since 2002. 

Robbins, A., 2000 State of the Recycled Plastic Lumber Industry, Plastic Lumber Trade Association, http //www.plasticlumber.org. 

From 1992 to 1997, the U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) and Rutgers University, along with several RPL manufacturers, carried out a project to optimize the production process for RPL and develop demonstration projects. In 1998 to 2000, the Plastic Lumber Trade Association and BatteUe, with four RPL manufacturers, several government agencies, and others, completed a three-year cooperative effort to develop the use of RPL in structural applications in decking, marine waterfront, and material handling.As a result of these and other projects, the usefulness of plastic lumber in several types of applications is now accepted. 

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