The risk of toxic and strongly debated wood preservation materials and specific binders starts only now to be taken very seriously by politics and by the public. Currently, about 6.5 million m3 preserved wood is annually produced in Europe and finds its way to the consumer in several commonly used end products. The European consumption of resins, produced from non-eco friendly starting materials, for wood based panel production in 2003 was close to 4 million tons. Through the expected new products that will emerge from this ECOBINDERS project into society, the amount of toxic materials found in every household in Europe today, will be diminished significantly.

ECOBINDERS aims to develop new sustainable processes and products using furan and/or lignin based binders for high added-value, environmentally friendly products and services in SME intensive industries. These binders will be used in conjunction with natural fibres and are inherently non-toxic, environmentally friendly, emission-free and waterresistant. Furthermore, a reduction of CO2 emission will be established.

The main objectives are:

To develop a new class of biomass based binders consisting of furans and/or sulphur-free lignin
To develop innovative and sustainable processes for these multifunctional binders by using an integrated chain approach combining multi-sectorial interests
To develop durable wood : a sustainable alternative for currently used, but strongly debated toxic wood protection agents (a.o. chromated copper arsenic salts)
To develop emission-free panel & boards for indoor use to replace the traditionally used, formaldehyde releasing, products
To develop water and organic solvent resistant 3D design products for in- and outdoor use

In order to achieve these ambitious project goals, a consortium of 15 industrial SMEs, representing the whole chain of raw material suppliers to the final end producers, have joined their efforts. Due to the multi-disciplinary character of the research, a selected group of outstanding universities and RTD performers will collaborate with the industry in this project.