Page 54 - FDMAsia Mar/Apr 2026

52 MATERIALS MAR/APR 2026 FDM ASIA | www.fdmasia.com

www.freepik.com Rasbak manufactured using a combination of sawdust generated during
For the first time, medium-density particleboards were

CWM production from pine wood (Pinus sylvestris), recycled
particles from used particleboards, and an SA binder.
The production of SA binder and the experimental design
were based on previous research involving particleboard made

of conventional birch wood particles.
The resulting particleboards were evaluated for their potential
suitability for interior fitments (including furniture) intended
for dry condition use in accordance with European standard
wood-product sectors, supply limitations, and rising costs. requirements EN 312, Type P2.
One key solution is the reuse of wood after the end of The findings provide a data-driven assessment of the
life of various wood-based products, which is increasingly suitability of the selected sawdust types and SA binder for
approaching industrial relevance. particleboard production and highlight key directions for further
It has been reported that particleboard and the core layer optimisation of their mechanical performance.

of oriented strand board can be fully substituted with recycled
wood particles while maintaining the required property values Different Furnishes
according to relevant standards. Three different furnishes of wood particles were used in
Another viable approach to fulfil the raw material demand this study for board production and evaluation. Two of the
is the use of available agro-industrial residues such as straw, furnishes were prepared by longitudinal inner sawing of dried
stalks, bagasse, and grasses. pine (Pinus sylvestris) boards (20 mm × 100 mm × 1000 mm)
Numerous studies have demonstrated the feasibility of using two different circular sawblades.

manufacturing particleboards from agricultural residues, often One sawblade had 24 teeth (Z24) with a 20 degrees top-
achieving property values comparable to those of conventional bevel angle, while the other had 18 teeth (Z18) with a flat-top
particleboards. configuration (0°). Both sawblades had the same diameter
In addition to these alternatives, large quantities of sawmill (250 mm) and tooth width (3.2 mm).
by-products—particularly sawdust—are available and hold In the following text, the sawdust produced using the GS
significant potential for particleboard manufacturing. sawblade is referred to as LS-/, and the sawdust produced
Several decades ago, a cellular wood material (CWM) was by GM sawblade as LS-I.
developed as a lightweight wood product for furniture, door The third particle furnish was supplied by a local particleboard
components, and transportation applications. However, due manufacturer and consisted of recycled particleboard particles

to the sawn longitudinal grooves required in its production, in two fractions. Fine particles (<2 mm) and coarse particles
more than 40 percent of the processed logs are converted (55 percent >2 mm) were received without any added binder.
into sawdust, creating a substantial by-product stream suitable However, since these particles originated from recycled
for further utilisation. particleboards, it is assumed that they contain residual cured
Taking into account the issues outlined above, this study adhesive and additives. As the delivered industrial furnish
investigates particleboards produced using different types of consisted solely of recycled particles, it is hereafter referred
sawdust and SA-based binder derived from birch outer bark. to as RE.