SusBind

Summary

Currently, wood boards such as Particle Board (PB) and Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) rely on the use of fossil-based binders, mainly formaldehyde-based binders. Although there has been a great deal of investigation into potential alternatives, to date none of the bio-based alternatives have performed satisfactorily on an industrial scale.

By bringing together partners with an extensive technological background built up in recent years, the SUSBIND project aims to successfully produce and test bio-based binders as alternative to fossil-based binders. It will identify adequate feedstocks for production; develop new and greener production techniques including novel epoxidizing enzymes. In addition, it will produce and validate binders for Particle Board (PB) and Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) with leading manufacturers.

The SUSBIND resulting binder system will prove better performance in PB and MDF in terms of 50 - 75% reduction of emissions than current fossil-based wood boards. The active participation of industry and a consumer brand owner secures post-project scale up into existing plants. On the basis of cost analyses performed, an economically viable and better performing precursor will increase the marketability of bio-based furniture products concerned. The results of SusBind will not only benefit consumer health and help mitigate climate change, but also strengthen the European furniture industry by providing cost-efficient bio-based binders.