The project aims to develop, validate and demonstrate at an industrial-relevant environment hydrophobic formulation based on tall-oil fractions for industrial fibreboards. Following a circular economy approach, that allows tall oil converting companies to seek valorisation options of their underutilised side streams for higher-margin applications. Economically viable and better performing renewable formulations will increase the marketability and sustainability of furniture products.
In detail, the project aims at addressing all technical, market and sustainability challenges in applying tall oil based hydrophobing agents in the contemporary fibreboard manufacturing for bringing about several advancements to the current state, such as more sustainable production by replacing a petroleum-derived chemical (paraffin wax), better water-resistance of furniture components, and possibilities to reduce the amount of urea-formaldehyde resin, which is expected to reduce production costs and carbon footprint of the product.
Participants
The Group of Forest Products at Linnaeus University (LnU), SunPine AB, Lawter Maastricht BV och IKEA Industry AB.
Budget & time plan
The project’s budget is 8,5 MSEK and the project runs during two years – between May 2020 and April 2022.
Read more about the project at Linnaeus University’s website.