A leading surfacing solutions provider needed alternatives to formaldehyde-emitting resins in its high-pressure laminate. We scouted resin and binder options close to market and helped the client decide what to test first.
The client is a leading provider of surfacing solutions for commercial and residential customers, seeking potential alternatives to formaldehyde-emitting materials. It engaged Prescouter to identify replacement resin and binder systems it could test and build into its future development plans.
Prescouter was asked to identify potential replacement resin and binder systems for high-pressure laminate, with every candidate assessed against the same three criteria.
Regulation and declining public favor are pushing companies away from formaldehyde-emitting materials.
Replacement resin and binder systems suitable for use in high-pressure laminate.
Technologies close enough to market to move into testing, not early-stage concepts.
We identified systems in development across 6 focus areas: epoxies, adhesives and binders, novolac, lignins, SMA polymers, acrylics, and glyoxal derivatives.
We put the highest priority on nearer-term technologies, ideally at technology readiness levels 6 to 8, as potential replacements for formaldehyde-based resins.
We assessed which systems show the greatest potential to deliver mechanical properties similar to a formaldehyde-based laminate while keeping costs low.
Epoxies, adhesives and binders, lignins, and glyoxal derivatives were of highest interest to the client. These materials show the greatest potential to produce a laminate with mechanical properties similar to a formaldehyde-based laminate while keeping costs low. The client was able to begin testing samples from various vendors.
Shortlisted for their potential to match the mechanical properties of formaldehyde-based laminate.
Shortlisted as a route to similar laminate performance while keeping costs low.
Shortlisted as one of the three families of highest interest to the client.
Replacing a resin is not just a chemistry question. The alternative has to perform like the original and still make sense on cost.
Find formaldehyde-free alternatives that are close to market and ready for testing. Wherever you’re starting from, we’ll help you get there.
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