ABSTRACT
In this work, the adhesive systems used today in the European industries of particleboard, medium density fibreboard (MDF) and oriented strand board (OSB) are discussed. The structure of particleboard, MDF and OSB markets in Europe in relation to the types of adhesives and product specifications are presented as well. It is noticeable that new markets for wood-based panels like particleboard and fibreboard, known as non-furniture markets, are growing in Europe at a fast rate. It was concluded that most of the technological changes concerning the adhesive systems applied and additives have been realised from the need for niche panel products, the obligation to reach even lower formaldehyde emissions, and the necessity to decrease production costs due to the stringent competition in the market of wood-based panels.
Acknowledgements
The authors highly acknowledge the subject experts, namely, Mr Charles Markessini, Mr Panagiotis Nakos, Mr. Paschalis Tsirogiannis, Mrs Electra Papadopoulou of Chimar Hellas SA (Greece), Dr Dirk Grunwald (Huntsman Polyurethanes), Prof. Em. Edmone Roffael (Univ. of Göttingen, Germany), Prof. Mark Irle (Ecole Supérieure du Bois - Nantes, France), Assoc. Prof. Andreja Kutnar (Univ. of Primorska, Slovenia), Dr Lazaros Tsantaridis (RISE, Sweden), Prof. Dick Sandberg (Luleå University of Technology, Sweden), Prof. Pavlo Bekhta (Ukrainian National Forestry University, Ukraine) and Mr Peter Clifton (Medite Tricoya, UK) for the valuable technical feedback provided in this work.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes
* This work is dedicated to Emeritus Professor Dr Edmone Roffael (University of Göttingen) for his significant research contributions in the field of wood-based panels and adhesives.