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.

The SUSBOARD adhesive is made from:

  •  Activated carbohydrate syrups: made from renewable feedstock replacing fossil-based components, designed to improve adhesive performance and sustainability.
  • Biobased amine component: a natural polyamine replacing fossil-based components, designed to improve bond strength and sustainability.

The result is a fast-curing, industrially scalable adhesive system that functions as a drop-in replacement for existing resin systems.
 

  • 100% bio-based
  • No added formaldehyde
  • Low VOCs  emissions
  • TRL7

From Lab to Industry

SUSBOARD innovations are designed for industrial integration. The adhesive undergoes a complete development and validation cycle, including:

  • Laboratory optimization of component ratios, synthesis conditions, and formulation properties
  • Pilot-scale production, with more than 40 tons produced for validation
  • Industrial board manufacturing: full-scale trials conducted at Sonae (PB) and KEAS (MDF)
  • Performance and processing tests including coating, cutting, milling, and edge-banding
  • Furniture prototyping, including a modular desk made with SUSBOARD boards

From Boards to Furniture

he SUSBOARD adhesive is tested and validated in two wood panel types:

  • Particleboard (PB): produced from wood particles, suitable for furniture interiors, shelving, and panels.
  • Medium-Density Fibreboard (MDF): made from wood fibres, ideal for decorative and high-end furniture applications.

Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD)

All innovations in SUSBOARD follow the SSbD framework. This approach ensures that materials are not only effective, but also safe, environmentally responsible, and economically feasible throughout their lifecycle.

They are evaluated through:

  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
  • Social LCA (sLCA)
  • Life Cycle Costing (LCC)
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (Vocs) and formaldehyde emissions monitoring