Improvement of adhesives for structural wood products with bio-based industrial by-products!
Alex Mary’s research, conducted under the supervision of Véronic Landry and Pierre Blanchet, recently made the front page of an article in Voir Vert magazine, written by Myriam Drouin. This innovative work, undertaken as part of Alex’s doctoral studies at the Faculty of Forestry, Geography, and Geomatics at Laval University, from which Alex graduated in autumn 2024, addresses a critical issue for the engineered wood industry.
Despite their low environmental footprint, engineered wood products often contain petrochemical adhesives that negatively impact their ecological balance. Alex’s research project offers a promising alternative by developing bio-based adhesives incorporating proteins from Quebec’s industrial by-products, such as soybean meal, microbrewery spent grains, shrimp shells, and skimmed milk powder.
The results from this research have shown that incorporating these proteins into adhesive formulations not only improves their penetration into wood fibers but also enhances their mechanical strength, sometimes surpassing that of traditional petrochemical adhesives. However, challenges remain, particularly the need to optimize these adhesives to exceed the strength of the wood itself, a crucial requirement for structural applications.
This project highlights the potential of bio-based adhesives to reduce the environmental impact of wood products while also valorizing industrial waste. By integrating renewable and local materials, this research paves the way for a more sustainable industry and expanded applications for engineered wood products. Through its innovative approach, Alex’s work is helping position Quebec as a leader in the field of environmentally friendly construction materials.
For more details, see the article entitled « Towards bio-based adhesives for wood structures ».
