SUSBOARD develops 100% bio-based, formaldehyde-free adhesive for sustainable wood panels.
The project delivers eco-friendly furniture with reduced emissions and improved indoor air quality.
TOWARDS 100% BIO-BASED ADHESIVES FOR SUSTAINABLE FURNITURE
Challenge
Every year, over 60 million m³ of particleboard (PB) and medium-density fibreboard (MDF) are produced in Europe.
While these materials often rely on renewable wood sources and recycling, they are still bound together using fossil-based adhesives, most of which contain formaldehyde.
Solution
Building on the success of the SUSBIND Project , SUSBOARD is developing a fully bio-based adhesive, based on activated carbohydrate syrups and bio-derived polylysine.
This breakthrough replaces harmful fossil-based components without compromising performance, durability, or cost-effectiveness.
Impact
By introducing formaldehyde-free, bio-based adhesives, SUSBOARD is expected to significantly reduce indoor air pollution and VOC emissions from wood-based products. This leads to healthier and safer living environments aligning with broader EU climate and sustainability goals by lowering fossil dependency and cutting greenhouse gas emissions in manufacturing.
Objectives
Replace traditional fossil-based adhesives with 100% bio-based alternatives.
Achieve formaldehyde-free, non-toxic binders for wood panels.
Enhance the sustainability and durability of wood furniture.
Lower the carbon footprint of the wood panel industry by up to 30%.
SUSBOARD Innovations
SUSBOARD delivers a technological breakthrough in the production of sustainable wood-based panels by replacing conventional fossil-based adhesives with a high-performance, formaldehyde-free alternative. Its innovations span wood science, industrial validation, and application in real-world furniture products, all developed under the lens of safe, circular, and scalable design.
At the center of SUSBOARD’s innovation is a new bio-based adhesive formulation, designed to meet the performance and durability requirements of particleboard (PB) and medium-density fibreboard (MDF) production. This adhesive replaces fossil-derived components with renewable alternatives.
SUSBOARD Consortium
The project brings together a multidisciplinary consortium of research institutes, universities, and industrial partners specializing in wood chemistry, bio-based materials, and sustainable furniture manufacturing.
This collaboration ensures the integration of cutting-edge research and practical industrial applications to accelerate the transition towards sustainable wood panel technologies.
News & Events
Heatwaves and Adhesives? How Wood Panels Support a Low-Carbon Future
Recent research has shown that fossil fuel emissions have substantially intensified European heatwaves over recent decades, …
SUSBOARD at IAWS: Advancing Wood Science
The IAWS 60th Anniversary Conference brought together leading experts to explore the future of wood science, sustainable materials, and the role of bio-based adhesives in advancing the wood industry.
How Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Supports the Development of Sustainable Bio-Based Adhesives in SUSBOARD
Life Cycle Assessment is a scientific methodology used to evaluate the environmental impacts associated of a product, process, or service …
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Facts & Figures