SUSBOARD

Biobased adhesives for sustainable wood-based boards

Project details

Type of project
Innovation Action - Demonstration
Project focus
Construction
Feedstock origin
Agri-food waste
Feedstock type
Dedicated crops
Pure sugars
Project period
1 June 2025 - 31 May 2029
Status
Upcoming
CBE JU Contribution
€ 6 904 063,25
Call identifier
HORIZON-JU-CBE-2024

Summary

The EU's wood-based materials industry produces approximately 40 million cubic metres of particleboards (PB) and 20 million cubic metres of medium/high-density fibreboards (MDF/HDF) annually, primarily for affordable furniture. Despite implementing sustainable practices and recycling, manufacturers continue to rely on fossil-based adhesives, consuming close to 5 million tonnes per year. Replacing these adhesives is essential to reducing climate impact, especially as many contain formaldehyde, a harmful carcinogen.

SUSBOARD aims to develop and demonstrate the first 100% bio-based, formaldehyde-free adhesive for industrial wood board production by replacing the fossil-based amines with bio-based polylysine. Initial tests have shown improved strength compared to previous bio-based adhesives.

The project will scale up production to multi-tonne levels and validate the adhesive in PB and MDF manufacturing at both laboratory and industrial scales. 
 

  • Demonstrate that 100% bio-based adhesives can replace traditional ones, making the wood panel production more sustainable.
  • Establish a European system for producing eco-friendly adhesives using locally sourced natural materials, from raw ingredients to the final product.
  • Ensure adhesives are made from bio-based or recyclable materials to reduce emissions and lessen their environmental impact.
  • Develop and refine adhesive formulations using carbohydrate syrups and polylysine for wood panel production (PB and MDF), ensuring compliance with industry quality and sustainability standards.
  • Scale up adhesive production to industrial levels, testing the formulations in real wood panel manufacturing environments.
  • Test the adhesives in alternative applications, such as plywood and solid wood panels, while developing end-of-life recycling methods.
  • Assess the sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and regulatory compliance of the adhesives to ensure market readiness.
  • Support Europe’s shift to more sustainable materials by promoting the use of bio-based adhesives over fossil-based alternatives in wood panel production.
  • Share the results, engage with stakeholders, and encourage the wider industry to adopt sustainable, bio-based adhesive alternatives.
     

  • Replace fossil-based adhesives with formaldehyde-free, 100% bio-based alternatives, reducing reliance on petrochemical raw materials.
  • Achieve production of over 10,000 tonnes per year, generating €50 million in revenue.
    Create a new market for the starch industry by enabling the sale of 20,000 tonnes of carbohydrates annually, adding €12 million in revenue.
  • Reduce carbon emissions by replacing fossil-based materials with plant-based alternatives in industrial production.
  • Support large-scale adoption of bio-based adhesives in wood and furniture manufacturing, accelerating industry decarbonisation.
  • Improve indoor air quality by lowering formaldehyde emissions in board and furniture production, benefiting over 1 million european workers.
  • Increase consumer demand for sustainable furniture, with bio-based alternatives achieving market acceptance, despite a 5% price increase.
  • Accelerate policy support for bio-based materials, reinforcing EU sustainability targets.
  • Advance safe-and-sustainable-by-design principles in bio-based product development, setting new industry standards.
     

Consortium map

Project coordination

  • RTDS - VEREIN ZUR FORDERUNG DER KOMMUNIKATION UND VERMITTLUNG VON FORSCHUNG, TECHNOLOGIE UND INNOVATION (RTDS VEREIN, ENGL. RTDS ASSOCIATION) Wien, Austria

Consortium

  • KOMPETENZZENTRUM HOLZ GMBH Linz, Austria
  • INSTITUT FUR HOLZTECHNOLOGIE DRESDEN GGMBH Dresden, Germany
  • Sareco Deutschland GmbH Ibbenburen, Germany
  • BASF SE Ludwigshafen Am Rhein, Germany
  • SONAE ARAUCO PORTUGAL SA ESPINHO MGL, Portugal
  • BALORMAN INT AGAC SANAYI VE TICARET ANONIM SIRKETI ISTANBUL, Turkey
  • KASTAMONU ENTEGRE AGAC SANAYI VE TICARET ANONIM SIRKETI Istanbul, Turkey
  • CARGILL DEUTSCHLAND GMBH Krefeld, Germany