Wood composites offer an excellent means of maximizing useful production of natural resources. Commercial particleboard is formed from wood furnish in combination with formaldehyde-based adhesive. Formaldehyde is an irritant and carcinogenic toxin and regulated by the EPA as a hazardous air pollutant (HAP). We have designed and synthesized a novel, environmentally-friendly adhesive for particleboard manufacture. Composites produced using this adhesive possess excellent structural integrity and water resistance, exceeds commercial standards, and are formaldehyde free.

Future research goals are to further improve processibility, and develop adhesive for medium density fiberboard (MDF) and oriented strand board (OSB).

Special acknowledgement: This material is based upon work supported by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), under Cooperative Agreement Nos. 91-38202-5928 and 2001-38202-10424, and Mississippi's Land, Water, and Timber Resource Board.