UMaine’s new patent leverages the state’s forest products industry

From Mainebiz

The University of Maine has received a patent for a process that creates construction materials using an environmentally friendly binding agent.

The process developed by UMaine researchers eliminates the use of formaldehyde as a binding agent for construction materials such as particleboard, and replaces it with a slurry of cellulose nanofibrils, according to a news release. The use of the slurry increases durability and eliminates formaldehyde off-gassing.

“UMaine’s ongoing research and technology development in this area is critically important to the forest sector here in Maine,” Steve Schley, chair of the FOR/Maine executive committee, said in the release. “Cellulose nanofibrils can be refined from wood waste products and any innovation that expands their use contributes to the full utilization of a renewable local resource and supports one of Maine’s traditional industries.”