Alternative, formaldehyd-free binders for wood based composite materials

Background and Objective

By combining urea and formaldehyd extremely cost-efficient binders for wood based composites can be produced, but the price development is strongly fluctuating depending on the oil price and on the competition for the chemical precursor methanol. The precursors for many alternative formaldehyde-free binders are derived from renewable vegetable raw materials which can also be used as foddstuff. It is the aim of this research project to develope and test alternative non-organic Binders für wood based composites.

Target Group

Producers of wood based composites, manufacturers of equipment for producing wood composites

Approach

Variour recipes for binders based on Geopoylmer formulations are produced and tested regarding their gluing performance. Hardening is carried out under ambient conditions and under hot press conditions as well. The persistence of the bonds is evaluated by exposure to different climatic conditions (high relative humidity, water storage, boiling, re-drying). For characterizing the properties of the wood composite materials the normal DIN EN standards are applied.  

Data and Methods

Vorious mixtures of raw materials and different recipes were investigated within the scope of guest researcher visits and in bachelor and master thesises.

Our Research Questions

Can mineral binders replace urea formaldehyd binders in wood composite production?

What specific properties have mineral bound wood composites?

Results

The results were publeshed in a series of publications.