Toxic formaldehyde emissions, and the necessity to reduce the consumption of petrochemicals, stimulates the development of environmentally friendly adhesives. The aim of this research was to study, for the first time, the possibility of using condensed tannins (CTs)-rich extracts from grey alder (Alnus incana) and black alder (Alnus glutinosa) bark in the production of particleboards and plywood adhesives. The chemical structure, composition, and molecular weight of the CTs were identified by a 13C-NMR and TOF-MS analysis. Three innovative adhesive systems were studied: CTs-phenol-formaldehyde (CTs-PF) resin; a CTs-polyethyleneimine (PEI) adhesive system; and CTs-PEI combined with an ultra-low emitting formaldehyde resin (ULEFR)-CTs-PEI-ULEFR. The results showed that CTs-PF resin has properties close to commercial PF resin, and the formaldehyde emission was twice lower. CTs-PEI bonded particleboards corresponded to the requirements of the EN 312:2010 standard for particleboards in dry conditions (Type P2). CTs-PEI-ULEFR, with a 40-60% substitution of ULEFR by CTs-PEI, had adhesive properties very close to ULEFR; the plywood shear strength fit the requirements of the EN 314-2:1993 standard for application in internal and external system conditions. The introduction of extracted alder bark residues microparticles into the composition of the adhesive system showed their positive potential for application as a filler.
Keywords: alder bark; composite materials; condensed tannins; extract; formaldehyde emission; formaldehyde-free; green adhesive; particleboard; phenol-formaldehyde resin; plywood.