- Story
How plywood board is being made more sustainable
14.07.2025 The binders used in wood-based materials such as plywood are often based on petroleum products and usually contain formaldehyde. BFH researchers are currently developing an alternative made from minerals that is more sustainable and healthier.
Key points at a glance
- Common binders for wood-based materials are obtained from petroleum and natural gas and mostly contain formaldehyde.
- Researchers at BFH are working on a more ecological and healthier alternative.
- The new binder is based on minerals and salts.
Why are researchers looking for a mineral binder for wood-based materials?
The binders commonly used today for wood-based materials are based on fossil oil and gas products. Not only are considerable amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) released during their production, but formaldehyde, which is classified as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), is also used to harden the adhesives. In light of this, the industry has been searching for some time for alternative binders that are less harmful to people and the environment.
The focus of research is often on bio-based adhesives, for example those made from renewable raw materials such as bark extracts. Researchers at BFH have gone one step further and developed a binder composed of minerals and salts. Mineral deposits are found all over the world – in Switzerland too. The team works together with Omya, a leading supplier of industrial minerals.
Where are such binders used?
Binders are found in various wood products, including plywood, chipboard and fibreboard, which are used above all for interior fittings. This project centres on plywood, which is composed of layers of veneer glued crosswise to each other. When testing plywood board, one focus is on the quality of the bonding. So the researchers are using plywood as a test object to investigate the adhesive properties of the new mineral binder and make targeted improvements.
Mineral wood binders reduce carbon emissions and ensure healthier air indoors.
What is the composition of the new binder?
The binder contains minerals that are fired at a low temperature, as well as water and magnesium chloride, a mineral salt. Part of the research project is seeking to analyse the precise composition of the binder.
Where does the research project currently stand and what are the biggest challenges?
The first plywood board produced in the laboratory with the mineral binder exhibited a high degree of rigidity, i.e. similar properties to conventionally produced plywood. Water-resistance, on the other hand, is not yet adequate. Further investigations, optimisations and tests are needed to gain the required industrial certification of the plywood.
How does the project benefit society?
The benefits of mineral wood binders are many and various. Not only do they significantly reduce carbon emissions and thus help to protect the climate, but the elimination of chemical compounds also results in healthier air in indoor spaces where wood-based materials are present. Overall, mineral binders contribute to a development that is ecologically and economically sustainable.
It is a huge step from the laboratory to industrial production.
How soon could a mineral binder be launched on the market?
Experience has shown that it is a huge step from the laboratory to industrial production. Even after the research project has been completed, the mineral binder will still need to be tweaked and optimised before it can be manufactured on a large scale. The production processes in the companies, some of which are specific to the binders used, also play a role here. Any changes in the binder will require these processes to be adjusted. In any case, it will be several years before plywood with mineral binders will be available in large quantities.
More about the project and the BFH experts behind it
Christof Tschannen is a member of the project for mineral binders and works as a research assistant at the School of Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering in the research and development of wood-based materials.
In addition to wood-based materials and mineral binders, he specialises in materials testing, furniture development, flame retardants and the gluing of materials.
The project to develop mineral binders is a collaboration between BFH and the Swiss company Omya International AG.
