The BioGlue-Centre aims to create a world-leading research environment in the search for biobased alternatives to the vast amounts of fossil-based adhesives used today.
The excellence network includes three universities and 12 companies from the furniture, construction, and packaging sectors.
"We would love to be to become 100% biobased," says Janina Östlund from IsoTimber, a company that produces wall elements made up of 98% wood, but currently uses fossil-based adhesives to bond the components.
50 people gathered
At KTH in Stockholm, about 50 stakeholders gathered in early December to hear the latest updates from the center's three research areas: Raw materials and formulations, Aspects of adhesives, and End-use requirements and sustainability.
"The challenge in the first year has been recruiting staff, and we've been fairly successful with that. More than half of the positions have been filled," says Stergios Adamopoulos from SLU, who leads the BioGlue-Centre.
In the area of Raw materials and formulations, Work Package 1, the focus is on adapting raw materials and, together with cross-linkers, developing new candidates for adhesives.
"We're looking at various biopolymers, how to modify them to improve their performance, and how to formulate the adhesives. A molecular-level understanding is essential," says Linda Fogelström from KTH, who leads Work Package 1.
Pyrolysis oil is one option
Two PhD students are on board, and recruitment of three postdoctoral researchers is underway. Jonas Scheibe, an industrial PhD student at Akzo Nobel, has explored the potential of using pyrolysis oil as a base for adhesives.
"It's possible, but it hasn't been very successful so far. That’s the summary".
Pyrolysis oil is a by-product of biochar production, meaning it will be widely available in the future. However, the molecules in the oil have varying properties and need to be fractionated for greater success in adhesive applications.
"The hope is to achieve better, higher-quality raw material," Jonas Scheibe says.
Max IV will be used
In the area of Aspects of bio-adhesives, Work Package 2, the focus is on studying how adhesives interact with the wood being bonded and predicting adhesive performance.
"The goal is to observe the bio glue line, how the adhesive spreads and penetrates wood cells, and how it affects other properties," says researcher Faisal Zeeshan.
Advanced microscopy and X-ray techniques, as well as the synchrotron light facility Max IV in Lund, will be used to study the process in detail.
"The center aims to use the best methods, going beyond conventional approaches," says Stergios Adamopoulos.
Need to modify machines
Work Package 3 focuses on sustainability calculations and end-use requirements. How should the biobased adhesive be applied to the materials being bonded? Current equipment, designed for fossil-based adhesives, will likely need to be modified.
"You can’t simply switch to biobased adhesives in existing equipment because the composition and properties differ. Many questions remain unanswered," says Reza Hosseinpourpia from LNU, who leads Work Package 3.
