HUNTSMAN, one of the leading global companies in the development of polyurethane-based resins for the manufacture of composite wood products, exhibited at Ligna 2025 in May and unveiled two new bio-based products at the world’s leading trade fair for woodworking and wood processing technology.
Developed to reduce the carbon footprint of composite wood products by up to 30%*, the new binders incorporate up to 25% bio-based content, without compromising the quality or performance that can be achieved in resulting panels.
I-BOND® PB BIO 1025 resin and I-BOND® OSB BIO 1025 resin have been developed for use in the manufacture of oriented strand board (OSB) and particleboard (PB), offering bio-based content solutions that support the industry’s sustainability ambitions.
Closely aligned with market and customer requirements, the new products form part of a wider range of non-added formaldehyde fast-curing I-BOND® resins that Huntsman offers to enable the production of high quality, durable composite wood products.
Developed to offer similar quality characteristics and performance capabilities to standard I-BOND® resins, while maximizing bio-based content, the new resins are capable to enable compatibility with existing manufacturing processes and can allow manufacturers to easily switch materials according to requirements. They can also help composite wood manufacturers meet panel specification requirements in terms of emission standards.
Explaining more, Bart Singulé, sales manager composite wood products Europe, said (speaking before Ligna): “At Huntsman we are always looking for innovative solutions that can help drive sustainability forward. With the launch of our bio-based resins for OSB and PB, we are helping panel producers maximize bio-based content in their boards — helping them to meet their sustainability ambitions without compromising the quality or performance of their products. These innovations are an essential step in helping the industry transition to more sustainable production methods and we look forward to discussing the benefits they can deliver with Ligna attendees.”
Typical properties of Huntsman’s new bio-based resins include:
- A reduced carbon footprint: Integrating bio-based content, and with attributed mass-balanced MDI options available, the resins can help contribute to a lower carbon footprint.
- High performance: The resins can deliver the strength, durability, and moisture resistance needed for typical composite wood product applications in furniture and construction.
- Aligned with emissions standards and containing non-added formaldehyde: The new resins can help create a safer, cleaner working environment for manufacturers and improve air quality for consumers.
- Versatile: The new products are suitable for a wide range of composite wood applications, including furniture, cabinetry, flooring, and interior panelling.
At Ligna, Huntsman’s theme was ‘Inspired by Nature, Breathing & Building Quality’, highlighting the team’s focus on providing the market with innovative technologies to help drive a low carbon future.
*Comparison with Huntsman incumbent technologies. Preliminary internal LCA study performed in 2024. IPCC AR6 GWP100 including biogenic CO2 calculated at cradle-to-gate.
See page 22 of our June/July 2025 issue on our Back Issues page.
