New Formaldehyde-Free Particle Panels made from Agricultural Wastes and Chitosan

Abstract : Current environmental problems, deforestation, and tensions over raw materials, are pushing manufacturers to substitute wood in the production of wood-based panels by other alternative lignocellulosic sources. In addition, the replacement of synthetic binders based on non-renewable, petro-sourced, and carcinogenic formaldehyde with other biobased and biodegradable materials is being sought with the aim of pollution reduction and environmentally friendly materials production. Thus, the present work is devoted to the development of new panels using a polysaccharide binder, chitosan, in presence of reinforcements based on miscanthus or spent mushroom substrates combined with olive waste residues.