Protein-Based Board Glue for Formaldehyde-Free Strong Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing glues for cellulose-containing boards, such as urea formaldehyde-based glues, emit formaldehyde and are based on fossil raw materials, while bio-based alternatives suffer from low reactivity, uncontrolled prepolymerization, and poor adhesion strength.

Innovation Solution

A glue composed of a protein-containing fraction and a second fraction comprising amino acids, peptides, polyamines, or polyamides, which reacts with proteins to form a cured adhesive without formaldehyde, enhancing adhesion strength and water resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If urea formaldehyde-based glue is used, then adhesion strength and reactivity are improved, but formaldehyde emissions and environmental harm increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion strengthVSAvoidformaldehyde emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the glue by replacing urea formaldehyde resin with a combination of protein-containing fraction (3-50 wt%) and polyol (50-97 wt%), where protein provides adhesion through amino groups and polyol provides crosslinking through hydroxyl groups, eliminating formaldehyde emissions while maintaining bonding strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite glue system combining protein-containing fraction (from plant or animal sources) with polyol compounds, where the synergistic interaction between proteins and polyols through Maillard reaction and crosslinking provides both high adhesion strength and zero formaldehyde emissions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-generated harmful factors

If bio-based glue is used, then formaldehyde emissions are reduced, but reactivity and adhesion strength decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformaldehyde emissionsVSAvoidadhesion strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the molecular weight and functional group content of the polyol component (MW 62-10,000 g/mol with multiple hydroxyl groups) to enhance reactivity and adhesion strength, while the protein-containing fraction provides natural bonding capabilities, achieving both high strength and zero formaldehyde emissions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the specific functional groups (amino groups in protein, hydroxyl groups in polyol) at molecular level to create localized reactive sites that enhance adhesion strength and crosslinking efficiency, ensuring high bonding performance without formaldehyde

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If protein-containing glue is used, then water resistance improves, but uncontrolled prepolymerization and stability issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidglue stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the glue system into two separate components (protein-containing fraction and polyol) that can be stored independently and mixed before application, preventing uncontrolled prepolymerization while maintaining water resistance through controlled crosslinking after application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent prepares the protein-containing fraction and polyol separately before mixing, allowing each component to be pre-treated and stabilized independently, then combined just before application to initiate controlled crosslinking and prevent premature reaction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The new glue achieves greater stiffness, transverse tensile strength, and water resistance in cellulose-containing boards, reducing formaldehyde emissions and maintaining stability, with production processes similar to conventional methods.

Implementation Method 1

a cured glue that bonds these cellulose-containing materials to one another, wherein the cured glue is obtained by the curing of a glue that is a combination of at least one protein-containing fraction and a second fraction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS20260098157A1Glue for boards
Publication Date: 2026.04.09 UNILIN BVBA

AI summary

A board includes cellulose-containing materials, such as vegetable fibers and/or wood chips and/or wood pieces, and a cured glue that bonds these cellulose-containing materials to one another. The cured glue is obtained by the curing of a glue that is a combination of at least one protein-containing fraction and a second fraction. The second fraction has molecules selected from the list of: amino acids, peptides, polyamines comprising amino acids, polyamides comprising amino acids and polyimines, a method for making such boards, and a glue for such boards.