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CASE-7
RICE HUSK BOARD
In 1974 a working group on wood and wood based industries appointed by National Committee on Science and
Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, discussed the problems faced by such industries. The
committees took stock of R&D activities in wood based industry and suggested the identification of suitable
alternative material to replace wood products and initiation of related R&D work. The report was discussed in a`
meeting held on 4th April 1977 under the chairmanship of the Secretary, Department of Science and Technology
(DST). The DST after careful scrutiny sponsored the project "Development of Reconstituted Panel Products from
Ligno cellulosic Material" and identified the Indian Plywood Industry Research Institute (IPIRI), Bangalore to
take up the research. The financial outlay earmarked was about Rs. 7.82 lakh for a period of 3 years which was
further extended for a period of six months at the request of IPIRI.
Wood Industry: Search for Alternatives
It is well recognised that the increasing demand for sawn wood and panel material in the country cannot be met
from the existing forest resources. The projected requirements for industrial wood are expected to be of the order
of 4, 41,550 tonnes* by the year 2000, against the actual production of 3,30,260 tonnes in 1990. Considering the
fact that forest regeneration is proceeding at a very slow pace, it is unlikely that forests alone could provide the
raw materials required for the mechanical wood products industries. The growth rate in the mechanical wood
products industries has been slow.
In all the developed countries, particle board has succeeded to a great extent in meeting the shortage of sawn
timber. The general trend the world over in wood based panel industries is to produce more particle boards
because of the more efficient way of utilizing wood resources. In our country particle board industry has been
slowly establishing itself as an alternative to sawn wood. However, even waste wood or inferior quality wood has
become scare due to depletion of forest resources. There is, therefore, need to develop appropriate technologies
for making panel material using ligno cellulosic agricultural residue, such as rice husk, cotton stalk etc. The
purpose was to identify suitable renewable agricultural waste to manufacture particle board to replace wood to
conserve natural resources and thus preventing depletion of forest and environmental degradation.
Product Identification and Research
Indian Plywood Industries Research Institute (IPIRI), Bangalore, had undertaken research work in 1977 to
develop particle board using ligno cellulosic agricultural residue such as rice husk, groundnut shell etc. The
purpose was to identify suitable renewable agricultural waste to manufacture particle board to replace wood to
conserve natural resources and thus preventing depletion of forests/environment. The project was financed by
Ministry of Science and Technology. The research work involved development of suitable resin for binding the
particle and development/identification of machinery for the manufacture. Laboratory work was completed in
1982 and it was also established that rice husk is a good alternative material for use in the manufacture of particle
board.
Industrial researchers in India and other countries have tried for the past few decades to manufacture particle
boards from rice husk. However, it is the work done at Indian Plywood Industries Research Institute (1PIRI),
,Bangalore, with financial research grant form Ministry of Science and Technology in late 1970s, that has formed
the basis for the development of rice husk board technology. In India, rice husk is available to the extent of 30
million tonnes per year. This will steadily increase with expansion in paddy cultivation to feed an increasing
population. This technology offers complete utilisation of agricultural waste to manufacture value added building
material and also to help conservation of forests. The depletion of forest reserves is a major concern for
environmentalists as it has been the root cause of famines in Africa and some parts of Asia.
Rice Husk Board is the first product of its type developed for the first time in India as an effective substitute for
wood based panel boards. The patented technology from IPIRI has been assigned to NRDC for commercial
*Source: DSIR Report October 1991
Case (1991) prepared by Dr S.T. Narayana Swamy, Chief Engineer, National Research Development Corporation, New
Delhi.
Case material has been prepared to serve as a basis for class discussion. Cases are not designed to present illustrations of
either correct or incorrect handling of managerial problems.
Copyright of IGNOU



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exploitation. The technology was licensed in 1988 to an entrepreneur in Bangalore to put up a commercial plant.
The NRDC has extended interest free developmental loan to the firm under its `Technology Development
Programme to meet the project cost. NRDC has also extended engineering support to the project. The project was
jointly monitored by the Corporation and the entrepreneur. The unit came into production within a record time of
18 months. Presently the firm is in regular production and has developed variety of products to meet different
applications. The product is well accepted in the market as a substitute for wood based panel boards.
Product Technology
The product technology is explained below:
Process of Manufacture: The process of manufacture of rice husk board includes, cleaning of husk as received
from the rice mills, wind shifting to remove d
i
rt and stones. The cleaned rice husk is coated with adhesive in a
specially designed resin blender. The coated rice husk is spread on mild steel cauls sheets as an even mat. The
process is called mat forming. These mats are transferred to hot hydraulic press. The platen of the hydraulic press
are heated to desired temperatures and specific pressure is applied for a predetermined period. The boards are
taken out form the press and the edges are trimmed to the desired dimensions. The boards may also be sanded to
obtain smooth finish. A flow diagram of the manufacturing process is shown in Figure 1.
Development of Resin: The critical factor in making particle board from rice husk is the adhesive used in binding
the particles. The IPIRI has done extensive research work in modification of phenol formaldehyde resin adhesive
for bonding rice husk into particle board suitable for tropical climate. For rice husk board manufacture, part of the
phenol in phenol formaldehyde resin is replaced with less costly cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) or cardanol. It is
noteworthy that CNSL is also an agricultural product and only a part of the potential annual production of 20,000
tonnes finds industrial uses at present. The thermosetting phenolic nature of the adhesive confers on the board its
resistance to water and contributes to its durability.
Particle Boards: Specification of Uses/Applications
Rice Husk Boards are manufactured in various densities, thickness, types and grades to suit a wide range of
applications. The manufacturing process, based on highly innovative technology, ensures quality in the total sense.
Some of the uses/applicationsare shown in box 1.
Box 1: Some Uses/Applications of Rice Husk
Wall panelling Medium density boards, both plain and overlaid decorative in any thickness, can be used as
wall panels in any situation without fear of decay, insect or termite attack.
Doors, furniture Plain and overlaid decorative medium density boards can be used instead of wood- based
windows, table tops boards. The boards when used as the core for flush doors and window shutters ensures
freedom from insect attack, the so-called "dry rot
"
.
False ceilings Low density tiles make attractive false ceilings. Thermal insulation and sound absorption are
added advantages.




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Roofing panels Medium and high density boards make excellent pre-fabricated, light-weight roof panels
for low cost housing, roof terrace houses etc. because of their resistance to decay and
more important fire.
Insulation Low density boards can be used as thermal insulation material in refrigeration and
containers.
Partitions and These boards being fire resistant and low cost are advantageous for use in partitions
stage settings and for construction of stage settings.
Industrial and
domestic flooring Its high abrasion resistance makes it ideally suited for floorings.
General purpose It is specially designed as a general purpose board for a host of applications where
strength combined with freedom from wood-borers is required.
The Rice Husk Boards can be manufactured tailor made to suit the different applications. These boards are ideally
suited for high technological applications such as audio-speakers, air-conditioner decks, auditoriums (acoustic
applications) etc.
Rice Husk Board with bamboo mat finish is ideally suitable for shuttering work. These boards are re-used for
more number of times compared to conventional plywood boards.
Properties of Boards
Rice husk boards have the same distinctly advantageous properties (shown in Box 2) when compared to wood
particle boards and other similar panel materials,
Box 2: Properties of Rice Husk Board
Termite resistance It has been tested and proven that rice husk board is termite-resistant even when
exposed to termites in a termite mound for years
Decay resistance In a tropical country like India, where panels come into frequent contact with
moisture in all forms. Rice Husk Board has a distinct edge over wood-based boards-
because rice husk is in itself decay resistant. And this is further improved by decay-
proof synthetic resin adhesive used
Fire resistance The naturally inherent fire resistance of rice husk is further increased by compacting
the husk to a high density. In fact no other material with equivalent properties is
available in such large quantities for mass use in multi-storeyed buildings where fire
resistance is an imperative requirement
Rodent resistance Basically a gritty material, rice husk becomes grittier material, rice husk adhesive
and bonded in the form of dense boards. This makes it difficult to gnaw at, and
rodents stay a wa y - a quality that makes specially useful in food grain and other
storage applications
Technical superiority
Internal bond strength, elasticity, dimensional stability, screw and nail holding
capacity, abrasion resistance, surface hardness in Rice Husk Board scores over
conventional wood-based materials. In fact through intensive R&D checks and
practical applications, the long-lasting features of Rice Husk Boards have been
proven time and again
Economics of Production
Rice husk is abundantly available raw material and it may be described as virtually inexhaustible. Although it is ar
agricultural by-product, it is not seasonal but is generated throughout the year in rice mills. The rice husk has, at
present, no significant industrial use except as a boiler fuel in some places. It is practically wasted, by and large.
Several rice mills are faced with the problem of disposal of rice husk. Therefore, the cost of rice husk would not,
at any time; he expected to go higher than the cost of firewood. Also the size of particles of rice husk which come
from the mill is satisfactory for board manufacture. The energy consuming operations of chipping and drying are
not required for rice husk. Subsequent board manufacturing operations are similar for both wood particle boars
and rice husk board. The same plant can produce low density. insulation board to high density




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boards required for varied applications. Therefore, the cost of rice husk board is 25 to 30 per cent cheaper than the
wood based particle board.
Technology Transfer
National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) is a premier technology transfer agency in the country. The
laboratory scale technology was referred to NRDC for commercial exploitation. Over the years, number of
attempts were made to identify a suitable entrepreneur for upscaling the technology. The Corporation was ready to
sanction interest free development loan under its technology development programme. But it was only in 1988, an
enterprising promoter (Padmavati Panel Boards Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore) came forward to take up the project. He is
an engineer and a successful builder. He was aware that the product could be used in building industry. The urge
to undertake manufacture of new product and to succeed was his motivation.
Upscaling
The upscaling of the technology was done in two stages. First smaller size boards were manufactured using 2' x 2'
Hydraulic Hot Press. All the process parameters were carefully documented. The boards were tested for various
properties as required under Bureau of Indian Standards for wood based particle boards. The test results were
satisfactory. Some boards were made into doors and other building products and put into actual use. The product
met the requirements of the wood based particle boards and was accepted by the users. Encouraged by the results,
standard size hydraulic hot press (8' x 4') was installed along with the additional balancing equipments required
for regular production. The production started during the beginning of 1990. The product husk board-has better
properties when compared to wood based particle board. It has application in buildings, furniture etc. It is an
innovative product successfully developed in India for the first time in the world.
Project Monitoring
A Monitoring Committee consisting of representatives of NRDC, IDBI, IPIRI and the Promoter was constituted.
The committee met once in three months, sometimes, earlier to monitor the progress of the project. The committee
was able to identify weak areas in the project and helped in overcoming the same. This has given encouragement
to the promoter and made him confident in the development of the technology.
Manufacture of Plant and Machinery
There are number of particle board plants working in the country. But the entire plant and machinery were
imported along with technical knowhow. Therefore, it was one of the task to develop indigenous equipments for
the manufacture of rice husk boards. The important equipments required are:
Mat Forming Machine
Resin Blenders
Material Handling Equipments
Hydraulic Multi Daylight Hot Press
Finishing Line Saws
Wide Belt Sanders etc.
The capacity of the plant was kept deliberately low to disperse the manufacturing plant at different locations. The
transportation cost of bulky raw material is more expensive than the finished product. Therefore, efforts were
made to develop plant and machinery to meet small capacity production at a reasonable cost.
Mat formation is an important part of the manufacturing activity. This is a continuous process and there is no
indigenous manufacturer. Development of a suitable manufacturer takes time and trials. Therefore, manual mat
formation with vibrating table system was adopted. The system is simple, less costly and meets the requirement of
small volume production.
There are a number of units manufacturing resin kettle and blenders. The resin kettle is widely used in many
chemical industries. The blenders are manufactured as per the specific requirement. Similarly manufacture of
material handling system including loading and unloading system for the hydraulic press were entrusted to 2-3
parties. Their past experience in fabricating similar system for imported particle board project was very useful.
There are a number of firms manufacturing multi daylight hydraulic hot presses for plywood and lamination units.
.The expertise of such firms was considered and they were encouraged to develop suitable press for rice husk
board project. The necessary technical input was given by IPIRI and other experts in the field. Presently there are
3-4 parties capable of manufacturing this vital equipment for the rice husk board project.




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The circular saws required for finishing line and belt standers were suitably modified to meet the requirement of
husk board characteristics. Special carbon tipped cutting teeth for the saw were developed.
The entire range of plant and machinery required for the project is indigenously available. This has helped in
reducing the project cost.
Market Strategy
The Rice Husk Board is a new product and requires considerable efforts in introducing it into the market. The
boards, first introduced in the form of finished product, were later converted into doors, windows and used
wherever possible. The boards were also used in partitioning, false ceiling etc.
Also a number of new products were developed to suit the varied applications. The acceptance of the product is
increasing day by day. Presently, the boards are marketed through converters who directly use the boards to
manufacture finished products.
Documentation and Technology Transfer
The technology has caught the imagination of general public and government agencies. The process is presently
licensed to 10 firms in different parts of the country (Some firms are listed in Exhibit I). In about 12 months time,
complete technology transfer shall be made available. The technology transfer consists of the following
documents/stages:
Providing technical knowhow documentation
Providing specification of plant and machinery along with name and address of the manufacturer
Specification of raw material and name and address of the supplier
Training of the licensee personnel at the existing commercial plant to impart "hands-on" experience
Commissioning of the plant to produce quality product.
Technology Innovation
The research and development of Rice Husk Particle Board is an example of a radical innovation in new product
development. It replaces well known and commonly used wood and wood based particle board in day-to-day
.

application, The research has taken considerable time, The patten of further innovation has taken long period and
showed a very general feature of technological progress which followed the "technology S-curve".
Anticipating technological change is an important management function. Introduction of new product and new
market awareness is a radical departure. They are hard to plan.. However, incremental innovations or
improvements to the existing product have often been planned over a period of time. Figure 2 shows the general
shape of rate of technology change. At the research stage, the rate of technological progress is exponential as a
plethora of new ideas and alternative possibilities are generated. Later the rate of technological change slows to a
linear growth. Finally, the rate turns off to little or no growth , as a natural limit to the technology is approached.
(The different stages of development of a new product and efforts required to make it technically feasible and
commercially viable case explained in detail in some units of the course on Technology Management).




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Let us summarise the whole case. The Ministry of Science and Technology had recognised the need to develop
alternative material (identification of new Product)' to prevent depletion of forest resources and degradation of
environment. A specialised research institute capable of undertaking research project was identified. The required
finances were made available to undertake research work. The task of technology transfer was assigned to NRDC
which had long experience in the field. Provision of requisite finance and the commitment on the part of the
promoter has made the transfer of technology smooth and project a success.
Monitoring of the project was an important management task which was expected to ensure better coordination in
technology transfer. All the process parameters were documented and detailed specifications of the plant and
machinery were made available to the licensee. These factors contributed in successful and smooth transfer of
technology.
Questions
i) Make out a case for augmenting the use of Rice Husk Particle Boards in India.
ii) Have the Particle Boards become popular in India? Give reasons in support of your answer. (For your
answer you may collect information from business Journals/manufacturers/dealers in particle boards.)
iii) Discuss the role of NRDC in developing and transferring technology for manufacture of Rise Husk Boards,
iv) Critically examine the policy of NRDC in transferring technology (it first transferred technology to one
manufacturer, later on to some other manufacturers also).
v) What is precisely meant by upscaling of Technology? How was upscaling achieved in this particular case?
vi) What is the most critical component in the process of manufacturing of particle boards? How was the
problem in this respect overcome?
vii) Critically examine technology S-Curve. Must all technologies follow bell-shaped S-Curve.
Exhibit 1: List of Some Firms Licensed to Manufacture Risk Husk Particle Boards
1. B.R. Agro Boards Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad
2. Prithvi Panel Boards Pvt. Ltd., Nagpur
3. Advance Particle Boards Pvt. Ltd., Bombay
4. Punjab Boards Pvt. Ltd., Gurdaspur Distt.