By far the most commonly used binders for the production of wood-based composites are the so-called urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins. However, these are susceptible to hydrolysis and therefore the produced wood-based materials still emit formaldehyde even years after their production. Scientists at the University of Göttingen, Germany developed a biological binder based on oil plant residues for the production of composite materials. The new formaldehyde-free binder has excellent properties and could therefore replace existing binders in many applications. ChallengeCurrently, mostly petroleum-based polycondensation urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins are used for the production of wood-based materials. With all the technological advantages of these resins, however, a decisive disadvantage remains, namely that these resins are basically susceptible to hydrolysis and therefore the wood-based materials produced still emit formaldehyde even years after their production. It is therefore necessary to provide alternative binders, in particular binders that are formaldehyde-free so that no or only insignificantly formaldehyde will be emitted after production of wood and composite materials. Our SolutionScientists at the University of Göttingen, Germany developed a biological binder based on oil plant residues for the production of composite materials. In addition, the invention also refers to a process for the preparation of binders containing further processed pomace of oil plants. The new formaldehyde-free binder has excellent properties and could therefore replace existing binders in many applications. Advantages
ApplicationsProduction of of wood and composite materials using new bio-based binders that are formaldehyde-free or emit no or only insignificantly formaldehyde after production. Development StatusDevelopment and testing on a technical scale (rapeseed pomace):
Patent StatusA priority patent application has been filed (applicant: Georg August University of Göttingen public law foundation). ContactDr. Stefan Uhle |