Bark-derived bio-adhesives for engineered wood panels (viBRANt)

Purpose and goal

The purpose of this pre-study was to evaluate the possibility of using lignin, tannins and cellulose from softwood bark to produce bio-based environmentally friendly adhesives, free of formaldehyde, phenol and isocyanates, for plywood production. The project has developed an integrated and sustainable process for efficient extraction and fractionation of bark from softwood and investigated the possibility of using the obtained lignin and tannin fractions for the development of bio-based adhesives for plywood production.

Expected results and effects

The project has developed a process that can valorise softwood bark as a precursor for the production of biobased adhesives, replacing phenol-formaldehyde resins, for wood panels with low environmental impact as a new market opportunity. The results indicate the technical feasibility to use lignin and tannin for phenol-formaldehyde replacement, with good mechanical properties. Technical challenges for industrial use of the bioadhesives were identified where the main technical challenge is to develop a synthesis procedure at a technically and economically feasible scale.

Planned approach and implementation

The project was led by Ulrika Rova from Luleå University of Technology. The project included partners with expertise in forestry (Sveaskog), pre-treatment and fractionation of biomass (Luleå University of Technology), biocomposite and polymer production (University of Borås and RISE SICOMP), and a packaging supplier (Nefab).