HOOF-it® Launches Eco-Friendly Hoof Stand Made From "Liquid Wood"

May 09, 2023Leslie Batistich

HOOF-it® has recently announced the global launch of its latest eco-friendly product, the HOOF-it® Blacksmith© Eco© Hoof Stand, made from Arboform®, which is known as "liquid wood." The Blacksmith Eco is a sustainable alternative to the traditional polypropylene hoof stands and is made from 100% renewable raw, biodegradable materials.

A hoof stand is an essential tool for the hoof care and shoe fitting work of horses, as it allows farriers to work on hooves without having to hold them. Historically, HOOF-it® has produced polypropylene stands with glass fiber, but founder and owner Heinz D. Haffner wanted to explore eco-friendly manufacturing options. Collaborating with German company Hunold + Knoop and plastics distributor ALBIS PLASTIC GmbH, the team developed a prototype of the Blacksmith© Eco© Hoof Stand, which was recently presented at the Hannover Messe 2023.

The HOOF-it® Blacksmith© Eco© Hoof Stand is made in the USA and Germany and provides many advantages over traditional stands. The Arboform® material is completelybiodegradable, made from renewable raw materials, and does not produce microplastics when used. It has a small CO2 footprint, with 1.87 kilograms of atmospheric CO2 per kilogram of raw material bound in the material. The global warming potential is only 0.8 kilograms of CO2 eq. per kilogram of raw material, which is significantly lower than the polypropylene-GF 30 used in traditional stands.

"We are very satisfied with the result of our innovation, and our customer HOOF-it® is also enthusiastic," says H+K Managing Director Mathias Hunold. The HOOF-it® Blacksmith© Eco© Hoof Stand provides a sustainable and effective solution for farriers and horse owners concerned about the environment.

For more information, visit www.hoof-it.com.

What is Arboform®?

Arboform® is a brand of biomaterial made from lignin, a natural polymer found in wood, and natural fibers such as flax, hemp, or cotton. It is often referred to as "liquid wood" due to its resemblance to wood in texture and appearance. Arboform® is produced using a proprietary process that involves heating and pressing the lignin and fibers together, creating a durable and moldable material that can be used in a variety of applications. Arboform® is a renewable and sustainable material that is biodegradable, produces no microplastics, and has a small CO2 footprint, making it an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics. It is used in the manufacturing of products such as the HOOF-it® Blacksmith© Eco© Hoof Stand.