A study demonstrating the approach of zero‐waste technologies, a component of the Zero Emissions concept, and using lignin extracted from steam‐exploded wood as adhesive in hot‐pressed fibre boards and plywood to substitute phenol‐formaldehyde resins is reported. Properties of sample boards containing different amount of lignin adhesive are compared between themselves and with the EU standards for fibre boards. A strong correlation of density and form stability under humid conditions with the lignin content is found. Results of testing mechanical properties of the boards suggest that effect of lignin on mechanical strength depends on the size of particles and hot‐pressing temperature. Steam explosion and hot‐pressing technologies tested in the study are shown to have potential of utilizing low‐quality wood and waste from forest industry to make value‐added products. Complementing a saw mill they represent a model of integrated technologies cluster in accordance with the concept of Zero Emissions facilitating environmental protection by reducing pollution and eliminating waste. Mixtures of commercial phenol‐formaldehyde resins containing 10% lignin by weight, tested as plywood binders under conditions of factory production, show satisfactory cohesion. Santrauka Ligninas, išgautas garo sprogdinimo būdu, atstoja rišamaja medžiaga medienos plaušo plokštese ir dedamas kaip dalinis pakaitalas i fenolformaldehido klijus, gaminant klijuotaja fanera. Tai beatliekes technologijos pavyzdys igyvendinant bendraja beatliekes gamybos koncepcija. Analizuojamos eksperimentiniu medienos plaušo plokščiu, kurioms naudota skirtingas lignino kiekis, savybes, palyginti su Europos Sajungos standartizuotu medienos plaušo plokščiu savybemis. Nustatyta gera eksperimentiniu plokščiu su lignino priedu tankio ir atsparumo vandeniui koreliacija. Bandymu rezultatai rodo plokščiu stiprio priklausomybe nuo medienos daleliu dydžio ir presavimo temperatūros. Išanalizavus akivaizdu, kad taikant minetaja technologija galima dideles pridetines vertes produktu gamyba iš nekokybiškos medienos ir medienos apdirbimo atlieku. Šiu technologiju taikymas lentpjūvese būtu integruotu technologiju grupes, veikiančios pagal beatliekes gamybos principa, pavyzdys. Bandant klijuotaja fanera, kuria gaminant kaip dalinis pakaitalas fenolformaldehido klijams paruošti naudojamas garo sprogimo procese išgautas ligninas, nustatyta patenkinama kohezija. Резюме Изучено применение лигнина, выделенного из древесной массы после парового взрыва, в качестве связующего компонента в древесноволокнистых плитах и добавки к фенолоформальдегидным клеям для производства многослойных фанер, что является примером безотходных технологических решений в рамках общей концепции безотходного производства. Сравнены свойства образцов плит, полученных горячим прессованием древесной массы с разным содержанием лигнина, и их соответствие техническим требованиям к изделиям. Обнаружена хорошая корреляция плотности и водостойкости плит с содержанием лигнина. Испытания механических свойств полученных образцов свидетельствовали о зависимости прочности от размера древесных частиц и температуры при прессовании. Использованные технологии выявили потенциальные возможности для создания ценных продуктов из низкокачественной древесины и отходов деревообработки. В дополнение к лесопильням они представляют собой образец кластера интегрированных технологий по принципу безотходного производства. Смесь фенолоформальдегидных смол, содержащих 10% лигнина, выделенного из древесной массы после парового взрыва, показывает удовлетворительную адгезию в условиях производства.

Lignocellulosic biomass (LCB)-based thermal insulation materials available in the market are more expensive than conventional ones and consist mainly of wood or agricultural bast fibers which are primarily used in construction and textile industries. Therefore, it is crucial to develop LCB-based thermal insulation materials from cheap and available raw materials. The study investigates new thermal insulation materials from locally available residues of annual plants like wheat straw, reeds and corn stalks. The treatment of raw materials was performed by mechanical crushing and defibration by steam explosion process. Optimization of thermal conductivity of the obtained loose-fill thermal insulation materials was investigated at different bulk density levels (30–45–60–75–90 kg m⁻³). The obtained thermal conductivity varies in range of 0.0401–0.0538 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ depending on raw material, treatment mode and a target density. The changes of thermal conductivity depending on density were described by the second order polynomial models. In most cases, the optimal thermal conductivity was revealed for the materials with the density of 60 kg m⁻³. The obtained results suggest the adjustment of density to achieve an optimal thermal conductivity of LCB-based thermal insulation materials. The study also approves the suitability of used annual plants for further investigation towards sustainable LCB-based thermal insulation materials.

In the current decade, based on the European Green Deal, new challenges of the wood-based panel industry have arisen, seeking for formaldehyde-free bio-based adhesives and broadening raw lignocellulosics. In order to contribute to the potential solution to the challenges, binder-less boards of steam-exploded (SE 220 °C/2 min) hemp shives and wheat straw were investigated. The objective of this study was to find out the optimal hot-pressing conditions in terms of temperature (150–200 °C) and time (5–16 min) for the boards with three density levels (800–1000–1200 kg·m⁻³). An experimental design was created and the influence of the variables on binder-less panels were evaluated using a randomized central composite design of the response surface methodology. Water absorption (WA) and thickness swelling (TS) during 24 h, modulus of elasticity (MOE), and modulus of rupture (MOR) in bending test, internal bonding (IB), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were determined for the obtained boards. Each detected physical-mechanical property of the obtained boards was described by statistical models being different at each density level. The optimal conditions of the obtained binder-less boards were different depending on the raw material and density. For example, the optimal conditions of the boards from SE wheat straw with a density of 800 kg m⁻³ were found at T = 220 °C and t = 15 min, with the achieved properties of WA = 53%, TS = 4%, MOE = 2750 N mm⁻², MOR = 15.5 N mm⁻², and IB = 0.64 N mm⁻². Based on the achieved properties at the optimal conditions, the boards meet the requirements of the conventional particleboard Type P3 according to EN 312.