Latest UMaine Invention: Nontoxic Fiberboard
A new type of fiberboard invented by University of Maine researchers is made with nontoxic, biobased additives and is 25 percent stronger than conventional products.
Most particleboard contains a formaldehyde-based binder that releases toxins into living spaces, causing health concerns. The UMaine fiberboard uses a safe, nontoxic binder of nanocellulose, a gel composed of small particles of cellulose. Cellulose is an important structural component of plants and the most abundant natural polymer on Earth. In this invention, the nanocellulose is made using a low-energy grinding process.
The fiberboard, patent-pending in the United States and Canada, was developed by UMaine researchers Doug Bousfield and Mike Bilodeau.
More information is online.