A Corvallis startup is making strides to be the first to introduce a formaldehyde-free adhesive used to manufacture particleboard and medium density fiberboard.
If successful, the innovation would be a breakthrough in the burgeoning green building materials industry and likely in high demand since California implemented the world’s strictest regulation of formaldehyde emissions in 2012.
The Corvallis company, EcoPro Polymers, is developing a plant-based adhesive that contains no urea-formaldehyde, a chemical that releases formaldehyde — known to cause cancer in humans. The company has received support from Oregon State University and Oregon BEST.
EcoPro Polymers’ adhesive is showing promise in lab trials and has attracted interest from SpekPly LLC, another startup supported by Oregon BEST that makes architectural panels from agricultural byproducts.
Click here for source (The Register Guard)
Photo: Oregon BEST