Novel starch-based adhesive systems to enable recycling of fibreboards
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Linnéuniversitetet - Institutionen för skog och träteknik |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 1 960 500 |
| Project duration | June 2020 - October 2022 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | The strategic innovation programme Bioinnovation |
| Call | Materials with bio-based components designed for circularity |
Important results from the project
This project proposed two novel chemical modification approaches for wheat starch based on oxidation in order to create more functional materials for adhesive making. Dialdehyde and oxidised starch polymers could efficiently be used in adhesives recipes for fibreboards, reaching 50% to fully total bio-based content. level A proof of concept was presented based on hydroblasting for recycling fibreboards manufactured with the modified starch adhesives. Further optimisation steps are necessary for both adhesives’ application and recyclability of panels to reach a higher TRL
Expected long term effects
The results of the project showed that new bio-based adhesive solutions can be created based on starch oxidation, thus overcoming the current challenges of small biobased content in existing starch systems and poor recyclability profile of fibreboards with UF resins. All actors along the value chain evaluated issues of supply and transport of raw materials, production and application of adhesives, and market and sustainability benefits. No major obstacles have been identified, thus only technological issues need to be optimised before the solutions can be demonstrated at industry
Approach and implementation
The project performed research on optimising both the preparation and application of starch-based adhesives both in the laboratory and in an industrial-relevant environment for producing recyclable fibreboard panels through: defining protocols for starch oxidation; lab-scale synthesis and validation of starch-based adhesives; manufacturing and validation of fibreboards with starch-based adhesives; pilot fibreboard manufacturing; recyclability of fibreboards with hydroblasting (proof of concept); market and environmental sustainability