SWST International Convention 2026: Innovation and sustainability at the heart of corepan-wood research!
Strong presence at the SWST International Convention 2026!
As part of the SWST International Convention 2026, held in Seoul, South Korea, from June 7 to 12, 2026, several members of the Corepan-Bois research team successfully presented their work on innovation and sustainability in lignocellulosic materials and wood-based panels. This participation reflects both the scientific dynamism of our members and the growing international visibility of their research.
Research professional Vahideh Akbari presented, in collaboration with postdoctoral fellow Anass Ait Benhamou and under the supervision of Véronic Landry, a presentation entitled: « Lignin-carbohydrate nanoparticles from low-purity lignin: a potential reinforcement for particleboard enhancement ». This work explores the potential of lignin-carbohydrate nanoparticles derived from low-purity lignin as innovative reinforcing agents to improve particleboard performance. These nanoparticles were incorporated in small proportions into a urea-formaldehyde resin used in wood panel manufacturing. The results show that they improve the mechanical properties of the panels while reducing formaldehyde emissions, with an optimum around 1% incorporation. Despite a slight decrease in resin reactivity, the process remains overall viable. This approach makes it possible to transform industrial waste into a functional additive, improving both performance and environmental impact of particleboards.
Doctoral student Tiam Mahmoudian presented a communication entitled:  « Dimensional stability and mechanical performance of exterior-grade particleboard and MDF after accelerated aging ». This study, conducted under the supervision of Alain Cloutier and Aziz Laghdir, in collaboration with Rosilei Garcia, evaluates the durability of wood-based composite panels intended for exterior and semi-exposed applications after accelerated aging according to ASTM D1037 standards. The work highlights the evolution of mechanical performance and dimensional stability of particleboard and MDF under these aging conditions, providing essential insights into their long-term behavior. The results clearly show that panel structure and adhesive type play a decisive role in resistance to aging.
Doctoral student Johanna Gaitan-Alvarez presented the communication entitled:  « Influence of refining parameters on fiber granulometry, surface quality, and mechanical properties of embossed MDF door panels ». Conducted under the supervision of Alain Cloutier and Véronic Landry, in collaboration with Rosilei Garcia, this study examines the influence of refining parameters on fiber size distribution, surface quality, and mechanical properties of embossed MDF panels. The results show that optimization of the refining process is essential to improve the performance of panels intended for embossed doors. Steam pressure and refining energy mainly influence fiber morphology and mechanical properties, while differential pressure has a secondary effect. The study also highlights that mechanical performance and adhesion vary depending on refining conditions and adhesive type.
Doctoral student Seyed Saman Vakili presented a communication entitled:  « Integrated process optimization and molecular characterization of boreal bark-derived tannins for sustainable particleboard manufacturing ». This research, conducted under the supervision of Véronic Landry and Papa Niokhor Diouf, in collaboration with Vahideh Akbari, proposes an integrated approach combining extraction process optimization and detailed molecular characterization of tannins derived from boreal bark, with the goal of developing more sustainable solutions for particleboard manufacturing. The results show that tannins extracted from boreal conifer bark, particularly spruce, have strong potential as an alternative to petrochemical adhesives. Alkaline extraction proved to be the most effective, producing more reactive tannins, while jack pine showed lower performance in terms of yield and composition.
Supported by the CRMR student mobility support program, the participation of Tiam Mahmoudian, Johanna Gaitan-Alvarez, and Seyed Saman Vakili in this international event provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen their scientific skills and increase their academic visibility. It also highlighted the dynamism of their institution and the significant impact of their research in the field of wood materials.
Overall, this participation illustrates the team’s sustained commitment to developing innovative, high-performance, and environmentally friendly solutions for the wood materials industry. It also contributes to strengthening their international visibility and influence.
Abstracts of scientific communications
Lignin-carbohydrate Nanoparticles From Low-purity Lignin: A potential reinforcement for particleboards enhancemen – Â Anass Ait benhamou, Vahideh Akbari et Veronic Landry.
Low-purity lignin cake generated from the thermomechanical pulping (TMP) process represents an abundant yet underutilized byproduct within the pulp and paper industry. Its high content of non-lignin components, mainly carbohydrates (27%), often limits its direct application in wood adhesive systems due to its high molecular weight and structural heterogeneity. In this study, lignin-carbohydrate nanoparticles (nano-lignin) were successfully produced from lignin cake using an antisolvent process to obtain nanoscale particles with high colloidal stability. Comprehensive structural characterization using FTIR, ³¹P NMR, HSQC-NMR, AFM, DLS, and TGA confirmed the successful formation of lignin-carbohydrate nanoparticles, although with a relatively low yield (~10%). The prepared nanoparticles were incorporated at 0–2 wt% into UF resin systems to evaluate their influence on adhesive reactivity, curing behavior, and particleboard performance. Gel time and DSC analyses revealed moderate reductions in curing reactivity, mainly due to the increased water content introduced by nano-lignin, while maintaining acceptable processing windows. Particleboards manufactured with nano-lignin-modified UF adhesives exhibited internal bond strength values exceeding the ANSI A208.1 (2022) requirements for Grade M-2 panels, with 1 wt% nano-lignin providing the most favorable balance between mechanical performance and processability. Additionally, free-formaldehyde measurements showed a measurable reduction in formaldehyde emissions, confirming the scavenging effect of lignin-derived nanoparticles. Overall, this study demonstrates, for the first time, a viable pathway to valorize TMP lignin cake through nanoscale conversion and highlights the potential of lignin-carbohydrate nanoparticles as functional additives in UF adhesive formulations. Their incorporation supports both improved performance and reduced environmental impact in wood-based composite production, contributing to the broader transition toward sustainable bio-based materials.
Dimensional stability and mechanical performance of exterior-grade particleboard and MDF after accelerated aging – Tiam Mahmoudian, Alain Cloutier , Rosilei Garcia, Aziz Laghdir.
Wood-based composite panels are increasingly used in exterior and semi-exposed applications; however, their long-term durability remains insufficiently documented under standardized accelerated aging conditions. This study evaluates the aging performance of industrial exterior-grade panels including a three-layer phenol-formaldehyde bonded particleboard (PB1), a single-layer phenol-formaldehyde bonded particleboard (PB2), and a polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate bonded medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Specimens were subjected to six cycles of the ASTM D1037 accelerated aging protocol involving water soaking, steaming, freezing, oven drying, and reconditioning. Physical and mechanical properties were evaluated in both non-aged and aged conditions, including moisture content, residual thickness swelling (TS), modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, in both parallel and perpendicular directions, and internal bond (IB) strength. Vertical density profiles were analyzed to better understand the differences in performance. The results showed significant differences among panel structures. PB2 exhibited the highest dimensional stability with substantially lower residual TS compared to PB1 and MDF. PB1 demonstrated moderate stability suitable for protected outdoor use, whereas MDF experienced the highest degradation in mechanical properties, particularly IB strength, which fell below exterior performance requirements after aging. The specimen orientation had a negligible effect on dimensional stability but affected the retention of bending properties. Vertical density profile analysis indicated that higher surface densification and reduced core permeability improved resistance to moisture-induced damage.Overall, panel structure and adhesive type strongly influence aging resistance. PB2 is suitable for demanding exterior applications, PB1 for semi-protected conditions, and MDF requires protective treatments for outdoor use.
Influence of refining parameters on fiber granulometry, surface quality, and mechanical properties of embossed MDF door panels – Johanna Gaitán-Alvarez , Rosilei Garcia , Alain Cloutier, Véronic Landry.
Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is widely used in the production of embossed door panels, where refining parameters strongly influence surface quality and mechanical performance. Optimizing refining conditions is therefore essential to obtain high‑quality embossed panels with uniform surfaces suitable for priming, painting, or lamination. This study investigated the effects of digester steam pressure (0.8 and 0.9 MPa), refiner specific energy (70 and 80 kWh/t), and refiner differential pressure (24, 35, and 50 kPa) on fiber morphology and MDF panel performance. The evaluation included fiber size distribution, vertical density profile, surface roughness, bending properties, and cleavage strength using both polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and hot‑melt adhesives. The results show that digester steam pressure and refiner specific energy are the primary refining parameters governing fiber granulometry, while refiner differential pressure plays a secondary but reinforcing role through interaction effects. In the mechanical performance bending, modulus of rupture (MOR) increased mainly due to the interaction of refiner-specific energy with steam-related conditions, whereas bending in modulus of elasticity (MOE), surface densification, and overall panel consolidation were predominantly promoted by higher digester steam pressure. The adhesion testing revealed adhesive‑dependent sensitivities: PVAc bonding was strongly influenced by refining conditions that enhanced surface-layer development and density gradients, while hot‑melt adhesion responded only under specific combined thermomechanical conditions involving refiner-specific energy and differential pressure. Surface roughness remained largely unchanged within the refining range tested. Overall, the results confirm that balanced control of refining parameters to optimize fiber morphology is key to producing MDF panels with well-balanced strength, stiffness, adhesion, and surface quality. These results provide a practical benchmark for industrial MDF production, enabling the precise adjustment of refining stages to meet the demanding requirements of embossed panel manufacturing.
Title: Integrated Process Optimization and Molecular Characterization of Boreal Bark-Derived Tannins for Sustainable Particleboard Manufacturing – Seyed Saman Vakili, Vahideh Akbari, Papa Niokhor Diouf , Veronic Landry.
Replacing petrochemical adhesives with bio-based alternatives requires reactive and reliable tannin sources from forest residues. Boreal softwood bark is an abundant resource, yet extraction efficiency and chemical variability between species remain important challenges. In this study, tannins from jack pine, black spruce, and white spruce bark were extracted and evaluated to assess their suitability for adhesive applications, specifically for the production of sustainable particleboards. Aqueous, ethanolic, and alkaline extraction systems were compared to identify conditions that maximize tannin yield and reactivity. Extraction yield, total phenolics, and tannin reactivity were quantified. The molecular profile was further characterized through spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques to determine the chemical composition and purity of the extracts. Alkaline extraction produced the highest yields, reaching approximately 30% in spruce species. Stiasny values above 70% indicated a high proportion of reactive condensed tannins. Molecular characterization showed that procyanidin-type structures were dominant, although clear compositional differences were observed between species. While black spruce and white spruce barks showed similar behavior, jack pine bark exhibited lower extraction yield and a distinct phenolic distribution, suggesting the need for adjusted extraction conditions. Overall, the results highlight the importance of integrating process optimization with molecular analysis to better understand tannin performance. Spruce bark tannins demonstrated strong potential as bio-based adhesive precursors for particleboard manufacturing, while species-specific strategies may improve the utilization of pine bark resources.