SPRINGFIELD — An Australian company, Durra Panel, that makes fire resistant and noise-dampening wall and ceiling panels out of compressed straw is eyeing Springfield for manufacturing.
The company has a Boston office and has met with Mayor Dominic J. Sarno and Chief Development Officer Timothy T. Sheehan.
Sheehan said company officials plan to visit Springfield and scout for sites for a potential factory. But the process is in its very early stages and all is preliminary, Sheehan said.
No one from Durra Panel’s headquarters returned emails Wednesday.
On its website, Durra Panel touts its products as being the result of eight decades of research originating in Sweden.
Durra Panel says its manufacturing process activates the natural lignin in the straw and allows it bind together without the use of glues of adhesives.
Durra Panel currently tells potential customers it ships to the United States from its factory in the Australian state of Victoria.
