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A representative of Columbia Forest Products caught [Kaichang Li] after his presentation to find out more about his soy-based adhesive, according to Elizabeth Whalen, the company's former director of sustainability. The switch from a urea-formaldehyde adhesive to Li's adhesive didn't increase the cost of the company's plywood, but the switch did increase its competitiveness in the market.
"Many of these building materials have become cheap because they are part of a well established chemical process," he said. "These products need improved environmental performance, but it needs to happen in a way that's cost effective for these companies."
Though [R. Wade Mosby] says Li's soy adhesive works well in plywood, it doesn't perform as well in particleboard. The Collins Cos. uses a melamine-based adhesive in its green particleboard products, but they cost 20 percent more than traditional particleboard items. Mosby said his company must find a cheaper alternative if his company's particleboard line is to stay competitive.