A method for producing a hydrophobic element is disclosed and includes the following steps: a) preparing a mixture of water and an organic material from sustainably renewable resources, b) moulding the mixture prepared in step a) to obtain a moulded element, c) drying and densifying the moulded element obtained in step b) to obtain a dried and densified element-, and d) impregnating to the core the dried and densified element obtained in step c) with a binder composed of organic materials from sustainably renewable resources. A covering hydrophobic element containing more than 90%, and preferably more than 99%, of an organic material from sustainably renewable resources is also disclosed.

Disclosed is a method for the use, as fire-retardant, of an aqueous composition including chitosan and at least one mineral filler, the inorganic filler being for example chosen from the group of mineral fillers in laminae, in particular chosen from the group consisting of talc, montmorillonite, saponite, sepiolite, bentonite, smectite, hectorite, kaolinite, halloysite and mica, and mixtures thereof.

A method of forming an article and associated article are provided. Multi-fiber cellulose strips are interacted with a bonding agent and layered in a plurality of layers, the layered cellulose strips collectively defining opposed major surfaces. A porous sheet member, interacted with a fire-retarding solution, is engaged with at least one of the major surfaces of the layered cellulose strips, such that the porous sheet member substantially covers the at least one major surface. The layered cellulose strips and the porous sheet member are collectively exposed to an actuating element, configured to actuate the bonding agent to facilitate cohesion of the layered cellulose strips and the porous sheet member, to form a board member, wherein the at least one major surface cooperates with the porous sheet member engaged therewith, in response to the actuating element, such that the porous sheet member forms a substantially smooth and uniform surface.

A method of forming an article and associated article are provided. Multi-fiber cellulose strips are interacted with a bonding agent and layered in a plurality of layers, the layered cellulose strips collectively defining opposed major surfaces. A porous sheet member, interacted with a fire-retarding solution, is engaged with at least one of the major surfaces of the layered cellulose strips, such that the porous sheet member substantially covers the at least one major surface. The layered cellulose strips and the porous sheet member are collectively exposed to an actuating element, configured to actuate the bonding agent to facilitate cohesion of the layered cellulose strips and the porous sheet member, to form a board member, wherein the at least one major surface cooperates with the porous sheet member engaged therewith, in response to the actuating element, such that the porous sheet member forms a substantially smooth and uniform surface.

A panel and a panel production method are provided wherein an elastomeric coating, and preferably, a water-based elastomeric polyurethane coating, is applied to a pre-existing, finished panel construct, by pressing the coating onto the panel construct, and thereby bond the coating to the surface of the panel construct. The method is used to produce enhanced panels which can be used in the production of flooring materials, wall panels, furniture, countertops, and the like. The resultant panels typically have an enhanced surface that protects the surface layer of the panel construct. The coated panel can also be made abrasion resistant, and can also be enhanced so as to provide better acoustical properties while providing a soft touch, haptic surface.

The present invention relates to a composite product comprising a thermally modified solid wood component coated with a layer of a composite material which composite material comprises thermally modified cellulosic material and a polymer. The invention also relates to a process for producing said composite product.

The present invention relates to a composite product comprising a thermally modified solid wood component coated with a layer of a composite material which composite material comprises thermally modified cellulosic material and a polymer. The invention also relates to a process for producing said composite product.

A method of manufacture of medium and high density fibreboard with moisture and mildew resistance and low formaldehyde emission, which includes the steps of: (a) providing wood chips; (b) pre-steaming; (c) refining the wood chips into fibers and adding 250-800 kg/m.sup.3 urea-formaldehyde resin adhesive, mildew inhibiting agent, fireproof bonding agent, nigrosine solution with a mass percentage of nigrosine in absolutely dried fiber of 1-1.2%, 6-8 kg/m.sup.3 refined paraffin and 1.5-2 kg/m.sup.3 curing agent; (d) feeding activated carbon of 100-200 mesh to mix with the fibers and then drying the fibers to a water content between 8-10%; (e) separating qualified fibers to measuring silo; (f) laying the fibers onto a mat formation platform uniformly to form a fiber mat by pre-pressing; (g) pre-heating the fiber mat; and (h) processing continuous hot-pressing to form a raw board. The resulting fiberboard is black in color, has good physical properties and low formaldehyde emission rate.

To improve the reliability of fire resistance with regard to wood materials containing a fireproofing treatment agent such as a semi-incombustible wood material while also improving both the ease of procuring raw materials and mass productivity, a panel board includes front/back veneers constituting the front and back thereof and a core veneer layer between the front/back veneers. The veneer fiber direction of the front/back veneers is substantially parallel to the lengthwise direction of the panel board. The core veneer layer is a layer obtained by stacking a plurality of sheets of core veneer in the thickness direction. The veneer fiber directions of all of the sheets of the core veneer are substantially orthogonal to the lengthwise direction of panel board. The front/back veneers has a thickness of 1.5-4.0 mm, and the thickness of the core veneer layer 31 is equal to or greater than the total thickness of the front/back veneer 21. Lathe checks and cracks are exposed on the board grain surfaces of all the front/back veneer 21, and an aqueous solution of a fireproofing agent is infiltrated therefrom.

Methods of forming a lightweight reinforced thermoplastic core layer and articles including the core layer are described. In some examples, the methods use a combination of thermoplastic material, reinforcing fibers and bicomponent fibers to enhance retention of lofting agents in the core layer. The processes permit the use of less material while still providing sufficient lofting capacity in the final formed core layer.