Demonstration of Equivalency of Cane and Softwood Based Celotex™ for Model 9975 Shipping Packages

Cane-based Celotex™ has been used extensively in various Department of Energy (DOE) packages as a thermal insulator and impact absorber. Cane-based Celotex™ fiberboard was only manufactured by Knight-Celotex Fiberboard at their Marrero Plant in Louisiana. However, Knight- Celotex Fiberboard shut down their Marrero Plant in early 2007 due to impacts from hurricane Katrina and other economic factors. Therefore, cane-based Celotex™ fiberboard is no longer available for use in the manufacture of new shipping packages requiring the material as a component. Current consolidation plans for the DOE Complex require the procurement of several thousand new Model 9975 shipping packages requiring cane-based Celotex™ fiberboard. Therefore, an alternative to cane-based Celotex™ fiberboard is needed. Knight-Celotex currently manufactures Celotex™ fiberboard from other cellulosic materials, such as hardwood and softwood. A review of the relevant literature has shown that softwood-based Celotex™ meets all parameters important to the Model 9975 shipping package.