Project
Biobased water proof adhesives
Waterproof adhesives play an important role in the wood construction and labeling industry as these pre-determine the stability in a high humidity environment. Currently, mainly synthetic resins, e.g., polyvinyl acetate, urea-formaldehyde adhesives, melamine- and melamine-urea-formaldehydephenolic-and isocyanate adhesives are used in these type of applications as they provide excellent waterproof stability. However, the development of synthetic resins and usage is more and more restricted due to the non-renewability and toxicity of the petro-chemical derived adhesives. Especially the replacement of formaldehyde containing thermosetting adhesives has become an important issue, due to its (eco-)toxicity. Thus, the industry is searching for environmentally and sustainable alternatives. Natural hydrocolloids, such as gums, starch and collagen, are excellent adhesives but do not provide, due to their hydrophilic nature, wet strength properties. With the current state of technology, it is still difficult to incorporate hydrophobicity in order to induce water resistance; it would require high levels of fossil-based apolar reactants. This is not desirable in the transition of a sustainable and circular economy.
This project will explore and develop a novel green modification process with the objective to partly replace petrochemical derived components with all sustainability advantages associated with it. This will be approached via a novel catalytic re-structuring concept for incorporation of hydrophobic groups onto the carbohydrate polymer by solely using natural apolar molecules. Thus, no fossil derived chemicals will be used. This technology has the potential to broaden the application window of a sustainable biopolymer, modified by a total green modification route, to a great extent.