Enzymatic Activation of Wood Fibers for Wood Composite Production

Abstract

The incubation of wood fibers with a phenol oxidizing enzyme results in an oxidative activation of the lignin crust on the fiber surface. When such fibers are pressed together, boards are obtained which meet the required German Standards for medium density fiber boards (MDF). The wood composites made by this process are bound together in a way which comes closer to the situation in the naturally grown wood than any other process used in the present production of wood composites. This process will for the first time yield wood composites which are produced solely from naturally grown products without any addition of resins. Since they will produce no emission whatsoever a high acceptance of the public can be expected.