In September 2025, the SUSBOARD project was featured at the 8th International Conference “Processing Technologies for the Forest and Bio-based Products Industries (PTF BPI)”, held at the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences campus in Kuchl. The event brought together more than 80 experts from 16 countries to discuss the latest developments in wood research, bio-based materials, and sustainable production.
The two-day conference (18–19 September) served as a vibrant platform for scientific exchange, international collaboration, and professional networking; further strengthening ties within the European research community.
Wood K plus participated with two insightful presentations, one of which introduced SUSBOARD’s pioneering research on 100% bio-based adhesives for particleboard (PB) and medium-density fibreboard (MDF).
Erik van Herwijnen presenting at PTF BPI 2025; © Wood K plus
From fossil-based to fully bio-based adhesives
In his presentation, Dr. Erik van Herwijnen discussed the ongoing work of the SUSBOARD consortium, which is developing an adhesive system designed to replace fossil-based components in wood-based panels. The project builds on previous research conducted under the SUSBIND project, which demonstrated the potential of carbohydrate-based adhesives.
While SUSBIND achieved significant performance improvements, it still relied partly on fossil-based amines, resulting in a higher-than-desired carbon footprint. SUSBOARD takes this innovation one step further, targeting a 100% bio-based formulation that maintains industrial performance and scalability.
“Our goal is to deliver a sustainable, cost-competitive alternative to conventional urea-formaldehyde resins, without compromising strength, curing speed, or processability,” explained Dr. van Herwijnen.
The science behind the breakthrough
The new adhesive concept combines activated carbohydrate syrups with bio-based polylysine, a polymer derived from lysine produced by bacteria (Corynebacterium glutamicum). This approach enables fast-curing, high-strength adhesives suitable for industrial-scale applications.
SUSBOARD aims to reach Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL 7), validating its technology at a multi-ton pilot scale. This marks a crucial step toward large-scale industrial adoption in furniture and construction sectors.
The PTF BPI 2025 conference highlighted the importance of such collaborative research in driving the transition toward a bio-based circular economy. Through knowledge exchange and partnerships, projects like SUSBOARD demonstrate how scientific innovation can accelerate decarbonisation and sustainability in the wood industry.
“Sharing our results in an international context allows us to refine our research and gain new ideas for future developments,” noted Dr. van Herwijnen.
About SUSBOARD
SUSBOARD develops and demonstrates cost-competitive, sustainable, and 100% bio-based adhesive for industrial wood board production. Funded by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) under the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme (Grant ID: 101213812), the project builds on SUSBIND’s results to bring next-generation adhesives closer to market readiness.