Economic Aspects of Nanomaterials Application in Bioadhesives and Wood-Based Composites
摘要
The constant drive to increase productivity leads to the search for multiple solutions to improve the economic efficiency of industrial products. At the same time, industries in developed societies are under constant pressure to reduce carbon emissions. In some countries, the target is a 40% reduction by 2030. The European Union placed the ambitious goal of a 50% reduction by 2030 and a carbon–neutral economy by 2050. All these targets pose significant challenges to industrial producers, and they have to improve the economic scale and the boundary of the production capabilities. Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies can significantly improve the properties of wood-based panels and binders for that production. Incorporating nanomaterials in wood-based composites improves their waterproofness and thermal and electrical conductivity. It also can lead to reduced free formaldehyde content in the boards, acceleration of the hot pressing cycle (reduction of press factor), etc. However, the question of the economic efficiency of using different nanomaterials in the production of wood-based panels remains controversial. Nanotechnologies and materials produced by the nano-industries are considered a contemporary way to shift the production possibilities curves of industrial sectors and national economies far ahead. These productions stay between the sustainable use of natural resources and the requirement for economic efficiency, and nanomaterials can provide additional opportunities for improvement. Despite the great number of publications on wood-based composites (WBC) and adhesives for their production, there are few in the field of economic aspects. The problem deserves particular attention due to the boundaries of applying nanomaterials and bioadhesives to large-scale manufacturing. The current study focuses on some market-derived features of WBCs produced with bioadhesives and nanomaterials. It tries to reveal the product and the market basement of industrial application of these materials. For this purpose in the study, SWOT analysis is used to summarize some of the main features of the bioadhesives, the nanomaterials embedded in them and the final products–WBCs. The analysis enhances these products’ economic understanding from their pure mechanical and chemical properties. The results revealed that WBs produced with bioadhesives and, like an option, nanomaterials are very promising in their strengths. Despite the market pressure for efficiency, these products have a great possibility to improve the product mix of the producers.