Renewable hydrophobing agents for fibreboards based on tall oil
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | LINNÉUNIVERSITETET - Linnéuniversitetet, Växjö |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 500 000 |
| Project duration | May 2019 - October 2019 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | The strategic innovation programme Bioinnovation |
| Call | Test your hypothesis – step 1 within BioInnovation: innovative projects of higher risk. |
Important results from the project
The project tested the risky hypothesis that the enhancement of water resistance and inter-fibre strength of cellulosic fibres by refined derivatives of crude tall oil can be transferred to commercial fibre-based products such as fibreboards. To achieve the objectives, it was followed a stepwise approach to determine the effects of selected tall oil formulations on fibreboards with different dosages, mixtures with wax, and resin loads. It was revealed a great potential of using tall oil fractions through either entire or partial replacing of the commercial wax in fibreboard making
Expected long term effects
Selected formulations based on tall oil derivatives were capable of improving the water sorption and mechanical strength of natural fibres. Most of the formulations showed a comparable or slight improvement in properties of high-density fibreboards (HDFs) as compared to reference panels with commercial wax. Thus, the risky hypothesis of the project was verified. By also taking into account relevant favourable conditions on the supply chain and costs of tall oil fractions, the best performing fraction was chosen to be validated at a next stage according to industrial requirements
Approach and implementation
The effects of tall oil formulations provided by SunPine were evaluated as renewable hydrophobing agents for HDF. Different dosage levels and resin loads were used as well as mixtures of a selected formulation with commercial wax. HDF panels were produced by IKEA. The project partners performed a thorough analysis of the overall results in respect to current industrial practices of fibreboard manufacturing, and also by taking into account aspects of tall oil products supply and costs. A proposal of a technology layout to be optimized and validated at a next stage was also prepared