Imagine, if you will, my dear reader, a world where sustainability and innovation go hand in hand. A world where the very materials we use to build and craft our structures are not only visually stunning, but also kinder to our planet. Well, my friends, that world is not merely a distant dream – it’s a reality that’s unfolding right before our eyes, thanks to the tireless efforts of researchers, engineers, and manufacturers who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the realm of eco-friendly adhesives and finishes.
Soy to the Rescue: The Birth of a Sustainable Revolution
Picture this: it’s the late 1990s, and Professor Kaichang Li, a chemical engineer at Oregon State University, is out on a crabbing adventure with a friend. Alas, their pots come up disappointingly empty, but as they turn their attention to foraging for mussels, Li is struck by a moment of epiphany. “I was so excited that I almost forgot to eat,” Li recalls, captivated by the mussels’ ability to cling tenaciously to the rocks beneath the surface. “Right away, I saw the potential for a new type of adhesive.”
The idea had taken root, and Li set out to find a way to make soybean proteins perform like the mussel’s natural waterproof glue. Soy flour had been commonly used in plywood production prior to the advent of petrochemical adhesives in the 1930s, but it had been abandoned due to its poor water resistance. As it turns out, the culprit was a carboxylic acid side chain in the dominant amino acid, glutamic acid, present in soy protein.
Li’s breakthrough came when he discovered that combining soy flour with magnesium oxide effectively blocked this side chain, greatly reducing the soy protein’s water solubility. The result was a strong, waterproof adhesive that could be made sustainably from plants. “Our adhesive is made entirely from food-grade ingredients,” Li proudly proclaims. “It’s basically soy flour and magnesium oxide, which you can find as a dietary supplement or in over-the-counter antacids.”
Soyad: The Leading NAF Adhesive for Hardwood Plywood
Li’s soy-based adhesive, manufactured under license by Solenis International LLC and marketed under the trade name Soyad, has become a game-changer in the world of plywood production. More than 150 million hardwood plywood panels have been produced globally with Soyad adhesives, making it the leading “no added formaldehyde” (NAF) adhesive for hardwood plywood in the world, according to the company.
NAF plywood is a growing component of a global plywood market that was worth $41 billion in 2018 and is expected to reach $55 billion by 2024, according to market research by the IMARC Group. In 2005, Timber Building began using Li’s adhesive in its PureBond brand plywood panels, and by 2006, the North Carolina-based manufacturer had converted all of its manufacturing to the more environmentally friendly, cost-competitive glue.
“For his work in soy-based plywood adhesives, Li was awarded a 2007 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award by the Environmental Protection Agency and a 2017 Golden Goose Award by the American Association for the Advancement of Science,” a testament to the far-reaching impact of his research. “People thought it sounded farfetched at first,” Li admits with a chuckle. “How do you go from mussels to soybeans to plywood? There isn’t an obvious connection. So I think the novelty of the research helped it win the award. But the important thing is that the impact of the work has been acknowledged.”
Vegetable Oil-Based Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives: A Game-Changer
Li’s innovative spirit didn’t stop with soy-based plywood adhesives. In July 2019, his lab made headlines again with the development of the world’s first commercially viable pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) made from vegetable oil.
These adhesives, developed by Li with postdoctoral research associate Anlong Li, can be cured under ultraviolet light in just one second, making the cost of producing tapes and labels competitive with existing production processes. “Our PSAs use renewable materials, and the manufacturing processes are simple and fast, as well as requiring much less energy than petrochemical-based PSAs,” Li enthuses.
Pressure-sensitive adhesives are a multibillion-dollar sector in the global economy, found in everything from shipping labels and packing tape to household items like painters’ tape, sticky notes, and adhesive bandages. The new adhesives developed by Li’s team at Oregon State University have the potential to revolutionize this vast industry, replacing petrochemical-based products with a more sustainable, cost-effective alternative.
Embracing the Future: Timber Building’s Commitment to Sustainability
At Timber Building, we’ve been following the developments in eco-friendly adhesives and finishes with great enthusiasm. As a company dedicated to crafting exceptional timber structures and products, we understand the importance of using materials that not only enhance the beauty of our creations but also minimize their environmental impact.
That’s why we’ve proudly incorporated Li’s Soyad adhesive into our PureBond plywood panels, and we’re always on the lookout for innovative new solutions that can further our sustainable mission. From exploring the potential of vegetable oil-based pressure-sensitive adhesives to investigating the latest advancements in natural wood finishes, we’re committed to staying at the forefront of the industry, ensuring that our clients can enjoy the best of both worlds: stunning craftsmanship and a greener future.
Finishing Touches: Exploring Eco-Friendly Wood Finishes
But the innovations in eco-friendly materials don’t stop at adhesives. The world of wood finishes has also seen a surge of exciting developments, as manufacturers and researchers alike strive to create products that are both visually appealing and environmentally responsible.
One such example is the growing popularity of DriTac, a company that specializes in manufacturing high-performance, low-VOC (volatile organic compound) wood flooring adhesives and finishes. By prioritizing the use of sustainable, plant-based ingredients and minimizing the use of harsh chemicals, DriTac has been able to offer a range of finishes that not only protect and enhance the natural beauty of wood but also contribute to a healthier indoor environment.
As the demand for eco-friendly building materials continues to rise, we at Timber Building are committed to staying at the forefront of these innovative developments. By incorporating the latest advancements in adhesives and finishes into our products, we’re able to provide our clients with the perfect balance of style, performance, and environmental responsibility.
The Future is Bright (and Green)
The journey towards a more sustainable future may have started with a chance encounter between a professor and some mussels, but it has blossomed into a vibrant movement that is transforming the way we think about the materials we use in construction and beyond. From soy-based plywood adhesives to vegetable oil-based pressure-sensitive tapes, the innovations in eco-friendly products are truly astounding, and we at Timber Building are proud to be a part of this exciting evolution.
So, as you embark on your next woodworking project or consider the construction of your dream timber-framed home, remember that the future is bright, and it’s decidedly green. The possibilities are endless, and the impact we can have on the environment is profound. Let’s embrace this sustainable revolution together, one innovative adhesive and finish at a time.