Grantee Research Project Results
Growth and Fungal Resin Generation for Manufacturing Novel, Formaldehyde-Free Wood Particleboard
EPA Contract Number: EPD17043Title: Growth and Fungal Resin Generation for Manufacturing Novel, Formaldehyde-Free Wood Particleboard
Investigators: Meeks, Daniel
Small Business: Ecovative Design, LLC
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018
Project Amount: $99,995
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2017) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Green Buildings , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Engineered wood represents a $8.SB market in the United States annually. Resins instituted in the production of traditional engineered wood products (formaldehyde) have recently come under substantial scrutiny due to detrimental human heath effects. Ecovative is developing a drop-in replacement for engineered wood resins that is economically competitive and intrinsically safe. The mResin TM system is an entirely biobased adhesive that is literally grown on the wood precursors and meets all new legislative requirements. This resin system is inherently cost and energy efficient (67% reduction in MJ/ft3), and has been demonstrated within strategic partners' mills as capable of leveraging existing manufacturing equipment used in panel production. Early sales of an agriculturally based panel, MycoBoard™, have demonstrated commercial traction, but the transition to wood is required to meet the economic targets of the broader market. The proposed work seeks to mitigate risks associated with taking this technology to scaled operation and mill adoption. The Phase I activities are critical to first validate mResin™ can meet the industry's performance requirements (ANSI M2) on wood furnish, and second to determine if an aerated solid state fermentation system (composting) is an economically viable method to pursue for scale.
Progress and Final Reports:
SBIR Phase II:
Parameter Development for the Scaled Manufacturing of Mycelium Bound Panels for Commercial Interior Products | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.