Soy-based Adhesives

Soy-based adhesives are here. Adhesives made from soybean oil have been approved by the Western Wood Products Association for use in finger-jointing operations at the Willamina Lumber Company in Willamina, Oregon. In the Willamina finger-jointing process, hydrolyzed soy protein is applied to one side of the joint and conventional phenol resorcinol formaldehyde (PRF) resin to the other. According to the United Soybean Board, which funded development of the adhesive, when the fingers are pressed together, a chemical reaction occurs bonding the joint very rapidly. The adhesive works with wet wood (even in excess of 150% moisture content), and the cured joint is generally stronger than the wood. The soy adhesive is made by Hopton Technologies, Inc. (HTI) in Albany, Oregon. For information, contact HTI at 541/926-3118.