New Technology Underway to Develop Bark-Based Adhesives
Bark accounts for roughly 15 percent of the raw materials taken into an average wood-products facility. It is commonly used today as landscaping mulch, or low-grade thermal fuel. For years, scientists have attempted to “crack” the fundamental chemicals in bark by using processes similar to those developed at petroleum plants.
The funding is part of former President Clinton’s 1999 Bio-Based Product and Bioenergy Initiative designed to triple the U.S. production of fuels and chemicals from biomass by 2010. The Energy Department’s grant will be matched by funds from Louisiana-Pacific and Ensyn.