Tofu Ingredient Makes Safer Wood Glue

An ingredient found in tofu and soy milk can be used to make formaldehyde-free adhesive for plywood, furniture and other wood products.

Charles Frihart, a researcher with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Products Laboratory, announced the finding at the American Chemical Society’s national meeting.

The new adhesive is made with soy flour along with an additive used to make paper towels water resistant and other modifiers. The adhesive can be used on plywood and other wood products like furniture and flooring.

The researchers behind it said it works as well as petroleum-based adhesives for interior products and it does not produce formaldehyde vapors. Formaldehyde can cause cancer and also short-term problems like skin irritation and burning feelings in the eyes, nose and mouth.

“Protein adhesives allowed the development of composite wood products such as plywood in the early 20th century,” Frihart said in a statement. “Petrochemical-based adhesives replaced proteins in most applications based upon cost, production efficiencies, and better durability. However, several technologies and environmental factors have led to a resurgence of protein, especially soy flour, as an important adhesive for interior plywood and wood flooring.”

The researchers now plan to develop even stronger soy adhesives.

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