Within the enormous wood industry, both producers and researchers are searching for more sustainable binding agents as an alternative to the synthetic products used today in, for example, particleboard. These synthetic products contain, among other things, formaldehyde, and the emissions can have serious negative effects such as allergies, and even cause cancer. Greener adhesives are needed, and that’s where we come in.
In 2020, we launched an international research project to develop bio-based and formaldehyde-free binding agents – or green glue. We extracted the protein needed for this from rapeseed cakes, a residual product from the production of rapeseed oil that when used in the manufacture of particleboard can become a valuable raw material. Our focus is always on circularity and the efficient use of our resources. This project will show how a product seen as “waste” can be refined and used as an important component in manufacturing environmentally friendly wood panels. This is a welcome development and product for both producers and consumers in terms of health, environment, circular economy, and sustainability.
