French oilseed group Avril enters into a joint venture with Israeli startup Biopolymer Technologies and state investment bank BPI France to produce a rapeseed-based resin that will allow the wood panel industry to save on traditional chemicals, according to an article from Reuters. The joint venture, called Evertree, will reportedly use rapeseed meal to create an additive that can reduce the amount of resin needed in wood panels by up to 30%. The rapeseed-based ingredient will also reduce the use of formaldehyde, a carcinogen, in wood panel production, according to the article.
Evertree reportedly plans to launch a pilot later this year after testing with wood panel firms and progressively build up industrial capacity to around 50,000 tons per year by 2020-2022. The company expects to sell its product at between 2 and 7 euros a kilo, according to the article.
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