The project ran between June 2023 and June 2026.
The TallBoard project showed that fossil-based paraffin wax can be replaced with tall oil-based water-repellent formulations in fibreboard production without compromising performance. The new formulations were successfully tested and validated from laboratory scale to pilot and full industrial production, demonstrating that they can be used in real manufacturing environments.
In addition to achieving the project’s technical goals and reaching Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7, it also reached Market Readiness Level (MRL) 5 and SustainabilityReadiness Level (SRL) 5. The results showed that tall oil-based formulations have a lower carbon footprint than conventional paraffin-based alternatives. However, because water-repellent agents make up only a small part of the final fibreboard product, their overall impact on the board’s total carbon footprint is limited.
The project also generated valuable knowledge on process optimization, testing methods, and industrial implementation, providing a strong foundation for further development. While the results are promising, wider market adoption may require continued cost optimization, supportive market conditions, and growing demand for sustainable products.
Participants
SunPine, Lawter, IKEA, Linnaeus University (LNU), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and Södra (follows the product through the strategic partnership with LNU).
Budget
The project’s total budget was 12,5 MSEK.