SWOP
Plantics B.V. has developed a strong, 100% plant-based, recyclable and safe (no formaldehyde or other toxic components) alternative. The new group of resins of which the raw materials are abundantly available, makes the production of the new resin (cost) competitive to existing oil-based resins. It is ready to replace toxic and polluting resins, starting with binders in the wood industry.
The SWOP consortium, consisting of 3 industrial parties and 1 NGO, has been established to realise and accelerate market entry of revolutionary Plantics bio-resin wood panels. As a result of this project, these wood panels will be commercialised by Koskisen Oy, a leading Finnish wood manufacturer, and applied by Triboo B.V., a Dutch circular furniture manufacturer, for formaldehyde-free kitchens.
End-users are actively seeking bio-based, safe alternatives for wood panels:
- Occupational safety concerns about formaldehyde emissions within manufacturing facilities are rising, and increasingly conscientious consumers want to buy products from manufacturers that ensure workplace safety.
- End-user demand for safe and green products (low CO2 emission, recyclable) is essential in a competitive product portfolio
World’s first thermoset biopolymer that is 100% bio-based
Resulting of a paradigm-changing invention by the University of Amsterdam in polymer chemistry, our biopolymer was developed. It is strong, 100% bio-based, safe, and recyclable. This resin has the potential for a high number of applications, key among them being binder materials, foam and coatings. The focus of the SWOP project is upscaling resin production for manufacturing of wood panels.
Mission
Across huge industries, like the construction and wood industry, formaldehyde-based polymer resins are used in large volumes (>5 million tons in Europe) as binders to keep together materials and components to produce stable and durable products. Such (fossil) oil-based resins, however, pose a large societal and environmental burden, as these are toxic, carcinogenic, non-recyclable, and have a large CO2 footprint. Due to increased problem recognition and recently introduced regulations, these industries actively seek alternatives. However, until now, no safe, 100% plant-based and competitive resins were available that meet the functional requirements for a strong and durable material.
Technical factsheet
- Date: November 2019-April 2023
- Funded EU
- NEB Value Sustainability
- Location Westervoortsedijk 73 Bf 6827 AV Arnhem, Netherlands, Netherlands
- Application category Innovation | Other | The first non-toxic bio-based polymer resin to revolutionize the wood panel industry
- Related Technical Working Group Production and construction
@SWOP 2023