dyna DYNA Dyna rev.fac.nac.minas 0012-7353 2346-2183 Universidad Nacional de Colombia 10.15446/dyna.v90n226.106584 Article Biobased particleboards from rice husk and soy protein concentrate: evaluation of flexural properties and dimensional stability under indoor environmental conditions Tableros aglomerados biogénicos basados en cáscara de arroz y concentrado de proteína de soja: evaluación de las propiedades a la flexión y estabilidad dimensional bajo ambiente interior 0000-0002-8701-2041 Chalapud Mayra C. a 0000-0001-6982-1550 Ciannamea Emiliano M. a 0000-0002-9789-4359 Martucci Josefa F. a 0000-0002-7409-5546 Ruseckaite Roxana A. a 0000-0002-8140-4415 Stefani Pablo M. a Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales (INTEMA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Mar del Plata, Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP) Mar del Plata Argentina pmstefan@fi.mdp.edu.ar, mchalapud@plapiqui.edu.ar, emiliano@fi.mdp.edu.ar, jmartucci@fi.mdp.edu.ar, rxane888@gmail.com 13 02 2024 Apr-Jun 2023 90 226 156 162 30 12 2022 25 05 2023 04 06 2023 This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License Abstract

Biobased particleboards from rice husk (RH) and soybean protein concentrate (SPC) based adhesive were evaluated over 180 days under indoor conditions. Two alternatives were evaluated: the incorporation of carvacrol to the SPC based adhesive, as a natural preservative, and the coating of the RH-SPC based particleboards with a polyurethane lacquer. Coated panels showed the lowest thickness swelling and water absorption at 2 and 24 h of immersion. The modulus of rupture (MOR) increased for the coated panels, while the elasticity modulus (MOE) was the same for all formulations. MOR and MOE obtained for all particleboards evaluated over time met the requirements established by ANSI Standard A208.1 along the 180 days of study. Results showed that particleboard have good physical and mechanical stability under indoor environmental conditions, presenting a good performance at least up to six months.

 Resumen

Tableros aglomerados biogénicos basados en cascara de arroz (CA) y concentrado de proteína de soja (CPS) se evaluaron por 180 días en ambiente interior. Se estudiaron dos alternativas: la incorporación de carvacrol como un conservante natural para el adhesivo de CPS, y el recubrimiento de los tableros CA-CPS con una laca poliuretánica. Los paneles recubiertos mostraron un menor hinchamiento y absorción de agua para 2 y 24 h de inmersión. El módulo de rotura (MOR) aumentó para los paneles recubiertos, mientras que el módulo de elasticidad (MOE) fue el mismo para todas las formulaciones. Los valores de MOR y MOE obtenidos para todos los tableros de partículas evaluados a lo largo del tiempo cumplieron los requisitos establecidos por la norma ANSI A208.1 a durante los 180 días de estudio. Los resultados mostraron que los tableros aglomerados mantienen una adecuada estabilidad física y mecánica en ambiente interior durante al menos seis meses.

 Keywords: particleboard rice husk coating mechanical properties renewable resources biobased adhesive storage Palabras clave: tableros de partículas cáscara de arroz recubrimiento propiedades mecánicas recursos renovables adhesivos biogénicos almacenamiento 1. Introduction

Particleboard are widely used in the building and furniture sectors [1]. According to FAO data, world production of wood-derived panels was 380 million m3 in 2020 with a 60% growth in the last 10 years. The growing demand for these materials has stimulated the search for alternatives that reduce the environmental impact generated by the excessive consumption of wood. In this sense, following the principles proposed by the circular economy, the use of agricultural wastes as feedstock is a viable alternative for the manufacture of panels [1-4]. Agricultural wastes such as rice straw [5], wheat straw and corn stalk [6], sugarcane bagasse [7,8], hazelnut [9], rice husk [2,10-13] sunflower and topinambour stalks [14] waste tea leaves [15] and green coconut fiber [16] have been proposed as candidates to replace wood in the formulation of particleboards. In particular, rice husk is one of the main agricultural wastes available around the world (more than 150 million tons per year) [17]. Rice husk has a uniform size and can be used without previous grinding for the manufacture of the panels, reducing industrial scale production costs [10,11,18,19].

On the other hand, formaldehyde emissions from commercial panels raise issues of health and safety. Formaldehyde was classified as a carcinogenic agent in 2005 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer or IARC [20]. Several researchers have carried out different strategies to reduce formaldehyde emission levels in wood-based panels, including change of process conditions, treatments with waxes, the use of copolymerizing substances, scavengers and non-toxic hardeners [21,22]. However, although the formaldehyde emission in these boards was reduced, it was not possible to eliminate it completely. Vegetable proteins, such as soy proteins, have emerged as completely formaldehyde-free potential adhesives for wood-derived products, mainly for use in indoor or protected environments, since their adhesive capacity, renewable origin, non-toxicity, annual availability and reasonable costs [23-27]. Although soy adhesives meet the requirements for various applications, their use in humid environments is restricted by their inherently hydrophilic nature. Soybean protein can be modified by means of physical or chemical treatments with denaturing agents such as alkalis, urea, guanidine hydrochloride, and different anionic and cationic surfactants, as a means of unfolding the protein structure, promoting interaction with the substrate and improve the moisture resistance and bonding strength [18,25,28,29].

Another strategy employed is the use of chemical crosslinking agents in the formulation of the protein-based adhesives. Protein chains have reactive groups, such as -OH, -SH, COOH, -NH2, that can react with different crosslinking agents, such as glutaraldehyde, furfural, epoxies, among others [30]. Ghahri and Pizzi [31] incorporated tannins and hexamine (hardener) as modifiers to soy flour adhesives, obtaining plywoods with good water resistance and bonding properties. In a previous study [18], we have modified soy protein concentrate (SPC) with boric acid, alkali, citric acid and urea in order to improve its adhesiveness and moisture resistance. In that study, the effects of the chemical treatments were analyzed by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and apparent viscosity measurements, confirming the changes in the secondary structures of protein and crosslinking reactions with the lignocellulosic substrate [18]. Besides, we found that boric acid treated SPC adhesive applied to rice husk composites resulted in panels with better mechanical properties and water resistance, being appropriate for indoor applications as an alternative to those that contain formaldehyde [18,19].

However, the use of soy-based adhesives has been limited since their sensitivity to biological degradation, due to the exposure to microorganisms of these aqueous adhesives during preparation and/or storage (SPC is disperse in water or aqueous solution prior to its application as binder) [32,33]. The use of natural preservatives can help to provide the adhesive a fungus resistance, without modifying the bio-based content [34]. In this case, the incorporation of a biobased phenolic compound to SPC adhesive, as carvacrol, which is recognized as an active component for its antifungal properties, could be an interesting election [35]. In a previous work, the protection effectiveness of carvacrol was studied evaluating the microbiological and storage stability of SPC-based adhesive [3]. In that work, the incorporation of carvacrol reduced the microbiological sensitivity to yeast and environmental molds at high water content SPC based adhesives, maintaining their organoleptic characteristics for at least 30 days.

On the other hand, the improvement of moisture resistance, physical and mechanical properties of composites have been analyzed by applying different materials as coatings, including the use of waxes [36], tung oil [2] and lacquered paints [37], obtaining finished products with a good effect over these properties.

In order to get better understanding of the performance of these completely formaldehyde-free boards, it is essential to evaluate their properties over time under real conditions of use. In this sense, the aim of the present work is to evaluate, over time and under indoor conditions, the performance of highly biobased rice husk boards elaborated with soybean adhesive. Two alternatives were also evaluated: the incorporation of carvacrol as a natural preservative to the SPC based adhesive and the coating of the particleboard with a polyurethane lacquer.

 2. Materials and methods 2.1. Materials

Soybean protein concentrate (SPC, Solcon S), with mean composition 69% protein, 15% non-starch polysaccharides, 7% moisture, 5% ash, 3% fibers and 1% fat, was provided by Cordis S.A. (Villa Luzuriaga, Buenos Aires, Argentina). Rice husk was provided by a rice milling industry of Entre Ríos (Argentina). Boric Acid (H3BO3) was obtained of Sigma Chemical Co. (St. Louis, MO) (purity ≥ 99.5%, analytical grade reagent). Carvacrol (CRV, Sigma-Aldrich) was used as natural preservative agent and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS, Anedra) was used as surfactant. A water-based commercial polyurethane lacquer (WPL, Sinteplast), with 1.01 g/cm3 of density, was used as coating.

 2.2. Soy protein concentrate adhesives

Two types of soybean adhesives were prepared: base adhesive (SPCb) and adhesive with carvacrol (SPCa). SPCb was elaborated according to procedure reported by Ciannamea et al., [18]. Briefly, SPC was dispersed (1:10) into a solution of 3 % w/v of boric acid at 500 rpm for 2 h. On the other hand, the adhesive with carvacrol was prepared according to Larregle et al., [3]. SPCa was obtained similarly, but in this case the SPC was dispersed into a solution of boric acid (3% w/v), CRV (0.5% v/v) and SDS (0.25% w/v) that was previously homogenized for 10 min at 20,000 rpm (Ultra Turrax IKA T18 Basic, Germany). Each adhesive obtained was used immediately in panel preparation.

 2.3. Particleboards processing

Medium density boards with a target density of 800 kg/m3 (ANSI A208.1., 2016) were obtained following the same procedure used previously [11,19]. The impurities of rice husk were first removed by washings with water at room temperature. The washed rice husk was dried at 80 ± 2 °C to equilibrium moisture (about 8 wt%). Rice husk and SPC-based adhesives (10 %wt solids of SPCb or SPCa) were blended for 10 min at room temperature in an orbital paddle mixer (Silcook, China). The resulting mixture was dried in an oven at 80 °C ± 2 °C until reaching 40 wt% moisture. The panels were finally obtained by hot pressing (E.M.S. Argentina) at 140 °C and 5 MPa for 25 min, using a steel mold (30 x 30 cm2) equipped with stops to achieve a constant thickness (0.5 cm). The mass of RH-SPC mixture placed in the mold was calculated to achieve the target density. Three groups of panels were prepared: glued with SPCb (RH-SPCb), glued with SPCa (RH-SPCa) and RH-SPCb coated with WPL (RH-SPCbc). Coating was applied using a paintbrush on the top and bottom sides of the panels (~0.03 g WPL/cm2 panel). The three groups of panels were stabilized for 7 days in an environmental chamber at 20 °C and 65% relative humidity. Afterwards, two boards of each experimental group were evaluated (considered as “0 days” board) and the remaining panels were placed in a rack equipped in a laboratory, recording the temperature and relative humidity at intervals of 15 min (Fig. 1). Physical and mechanical properties were determined immediately on two boards of each group taken from rack after 60, 120 and 180 days.

Disposition of boards in the rack. Source: Self-made.

2.4. Particleboard characterization

Density, moisture content, thickness swelling (TS), water absorption (WA) and flexural properties of the boards were determined according to ASTM D1037 [38]. Density and moisture content were determined using six different samples of 50 x 50 mm2 obtained from each type of board (RH-SPCb, RH-SPCa and RH-SPCbc).

At each measurement time, four specimens of 50 x 50 mm2 from each set of panels (RH-SPCb, RH-SPCa and RH-SPCbc) were immersed in distilled water at room temperature in order to measured their TS and WA. The weight and thickness of specimens before and after submersion were determined at 2 and 24 h.

Flexural tests of boards were performed in an Instron-EMIC 20-50 universal test machine (Sao Jose dos Pinhais, Brasil) using 140 mm of span and 2.9 mm/min of head speed. At each measurement time, the modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) were determined on rectangular strips of 50 x 200 mm2 from each set of boards. The mechanical behavior of the panels was compared with those requirements established for ANSI standard (ANSI A208.1) [39] for three grades of medium density panel, identified as M-1, M-2 and M-3. Four different samples of each group were measured at each time.

Data for each test were analyzed statistically. Significant differences were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05) using the statistical analysis software OriginPro version 8.5.0.

 3. Results and discussion

An important parameter in order to produce sustainable boards is the biobased content. The same can be defined as the mass percent of biogenic materials respect to total mass [40]. In this case, polyurethane coating is defined as a petroleum-based material and contribute as the only source of non-biogenic material in the board. Polyurethane coating reduced the biobased content in the RH-SPCbc sample to 91% while the other panels can be considering practically as 100% biobased. Accordingly, all the panels developed in this work can be considered as highly biobased materials. These sustainable boards were subjected to indoor environmentally conditions for 180 days in order to evaluate its stability in the time.

Relative humidity and temperature over time, registered in the laboratory where the indoor experiment was undertaken, are shown in Fig. 2. Temperature and relative humidity varied between 13 °C - 26 °C and 51 % - 84 %, respectively. Temperature exhibited an increasing trend, in accordance with the seasonal weather change (from winter to summer), showing a rise of 13 °C along180 days. Relative humidity mean values did not show significant variations within the frame of the experiment (Table 1).

Average temperature and relative humidity in each range of time.
Period (days) T (°C) Relative Humidity (%)
0 - 60 18 ± 1 69 ± 4
60 - 120 20 ± 1 70 ± 4
120 - 180 24 ± 1 68 ± 4

Source: Self-made.

Relative humidity (%) and temperature (°C) recorded over test time. Source: Self-made.

Average density of each experimental group at the beginning of the experiment (0 days) did not show significant differences and were within the values established for medium density boards grades: RH-SPCb: 813 ± 6 kg/m3, RH-SPCbc: 840 ± 30 kg/m3, RH-SPCa: 820 ± 20 kg/m3. Moisture content values showed a decreasing tendency with time (Table 2), finding significant differences (p < 0.05) between samples measured at 0 and 180 days. This behavior was related with the temperature and humidity recorded in the indoor condition (Table 1 and Fig. 2). Average temperature increased 6 °C over 180 days, inducing a drop in moisture content of 10% approximately for all panels. Similar results were found by Wang and Sun [6] for panels elaborated with wheat straw and corn stalks as temperature increased.

Moisture content (%) of boards RH-SPCb, RH-SPCbc and RH-SPCa
Sample/ Time (Days) 0 60 120 180
RH-SPCb 7.9 ± 0.0 a,B 7.8 ± 0.2 b,B 7.6 ± 0.2 a,B 7.2 ± 0.1 b,A
RH-SPCbc 7.8 ± 0.1 a,C 7.5 ± 0.1 a,B 7.3 ± 0.2 a,AB 7.0 ± 0.1 a,A
RH-SPCa 7.9 ± 0.1 a,C 7.6 ± 0.1 ab,B 7.4 ± 0.2 a,B 7.1 ± 0.1 ab,A

Mean values in the same column followed by different lowercase letters (comparison between types of boards at each test time) are significantly different (p < 0.05) by the Tukey’s Test. Mean values in the same row followed by different uppercase letters (comparison over time of each type of panel) are significantly different (p < 0.05) by the Tukey’s Test.

Source: Self-made.

The coating can act as a barrier to water, reducing the equilibrium moisture content of the panels. Chalapud et al., [2] and Lesar and Humar [36], obtained boards with low moisture content using tung oil and wax emulsions, respectively, as impregnating/coating agents. However, in this work, despite slight differences were detected (Table 2) between the average equilibrium moisture content of coated (RH-SPCbc) and control boards (RH-SPCb), differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05).

Figs. 3 and 4 display the evolution of thickness swelling (TS) and water absorption (WA) of the boards, respectively, with time. Uncoated boards (RH-SPCb and RH-SPCa) exhibited similar TS and WA values at 2 and 24 h. Contrarily, RH-SPCbc registered the lowest TS and WA values (p < 0.05) at 2 h and 24 h. The coating applied over the surface of the particleboards restricts the possibility of water molecules to diffuse inside the core of the panels, limiting TS and WA. Our results agreed well with those reported by Nemli et al., [37], who found that surface coating improved the TS of panel. The TS and WA of RH-SPCb, RH-SPCbc and RH-SPCa were lower than those reported in the literature, such as Li et al., [5] and Jonoobi et al., [41], who measured TS and WA in composites from rice straws and sugarcane bagasse, respectively, both bonded with urea-formaldehyde resin (UF). Moreover, TS and WA of RH-SPCbc at 24 h of immersion were competitive with those reported by Leiva et al., [11], for boards elaborated with rice husk and UF adhesive, and with those reported by Kwon et al., [13], for rice husk boards using phenol-formaldehyde as binder.

Modulus of rupture (MOR) and elasticity (MOE) obtained for RH-SPCb, RH-SPCbc and RH-SPCa, along with the values established by ANSI standard for medium-density boards, are presented in Table 3. As expected, RH-SPCa showed a similar behavior respect to RH-SPCb, which means that CRV addition had not a significant effect (p > 0.05) in flexural properties of panels. However, coated samples (RH-SPCbc), displayed higher MOR values (p < 0.05) probably due to the effect of the polyurethane coating acting as an additional binder on board surface. In flexural tests the maximum stress value is exerted on the upper and lower panels surface, thus, the presence of the polyurethane binder in both surfaces improved the flexural strength compared with uncoated boards [37]. MOR values of RH-SPCb, RH-SPCa were similar to those reported by Ciannamea et al., [10] who studied medium density rice husk-based boards using phenol-formaldehyde as binder; while MOE values of RH-SPCb, RH-SPCbc and RH-SPCa were higher. Kwon et al., [13] determined the flexural properties of rice husk and phenol-formaldehyde panels with and without the incorporation of wood strands as layers. MOR and MOE results of RH-SPCb and RH-SPCa were comparable with those reported by Kwon et al., [13] for panels without wood layers, while RH-SPCbc presented MOR and MOE values comparable with those obtained for composite panels elaborated with 20% of wood layers. Moreover, comparing flexural results of RH-SPC boards with those obtained from other alternative composites with target density of 600 kg/m3 studied by Klímek et al., [14], RH-SPCb exceed the MOR and MOE of spruce wood composites with methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and UF resins as adhesives, while MOR and MOE values of RH-SPCb and RH-SPCbc were similar and exceeded, respectively, those obtained from sunflower, topinambur and cup-plant stalks panels using MDI and UF resins.

Thickness Swelling (%) of boards a) 2 h b) 24 h. Different lowercase letters (comparison between types of panels at each test time) are significantly different (p < 0.05) by the Tukey’s Test. Different uppercase letters (comparison over time of each type of panel) are significantly different (p < 0.05) by the Tukey’s Test. Source: Self-made.

Water absorption (%) of boards a) 2 h b) 24 h. Different lowercase letters (comparison between types of panels at each test time) are significantly different (p < 0.05) by the Tukey’s Test. Different uppercase letters (comparison over time of each type of panel) are significantly different (p < 0.05) by the Tukey’s Test. Source: Self-made.

Modulus of rupture (MOR) and Modulus of elasticity (MOE) means values of composite panels.
Time (Days) MOR (MPa) MOE (GPa) MOR (MPa) MOE (GPa) MOR (MPa)
0 12.3 ± 1.6 a,A 2.65 ± 0.38 a,A 17.7 ± 1.1 b,A 2.79 ± 0.09 a,A 12.4 ± 1.9 a,A
60 11.4 ± 1.0 a,A 2.30 ± 0.31 a,A 17.0 ± 1.5 b,A 2.53 ± 0.25 a,A 11.7 ± 1.5 a,A
120 12.2 ± 2.5 a,A 2.19 ± 0.41 a,A 17.9 ± 1.1 b,A 2.49 ± 0.29 a,A 12.2 ± 1.5 a,A
180 11.9 ± 0.8 a,A 2.26 ± 0.06 a,A 18.1 ± 0.9 b,A 2.68 ± 0.19 b,A 11.6 ± 1.7 a,A
ANSI/ A208.1 Grade 1 M1 MS M2 M3
MOR (MPa) 11 12.5 14.5 16.5
MOE (GPa) 1.725 1.9 2.225 2.75
12.3 ± 1.6 a,A 2.65 ± 0.38 a,A 17.7 ± 1.1 b,A 2.79 ± 0.09 a,A 12.4 ± 1.9 a,A

Mean values in the same column followed by different lowercase letters (comparison between types of panels at each test time) are significantly different (p < 0.05) by the Tukey’s Test. Mean values in the same row followed by different uppercase letters (comparison over time of each type of panels) are significantly different (p < 0.05) by the Tukey’s Test. 1 M1 and MS are for commercial usage, M2 and M3 are for industrial usage.

Source: Self-made.

MOR and MOE values of RH-SPCb, RH-SPCa and RH-SPCbc panels did not show significant differences over time (p>0.05), and met the requirements established by the ANSI standard. Along the 180 days of study RH-SPCb and RH-SPCa match the standard for M1-grade medium density composite panels, while RH-SPCbc presented a different behavior, exceedingly slightly those values established for M-3 grade. These results suggest that these non-wood free-formaldehyde composite panels show a property profile suitable for standard applications.

 4. Conclusions

Highly biobased RH-SPC boards were evaluated under indoor conditions over 180 days in order to study their mechanical behavior and stability in time. Results showed that 100% free-formaldehyde ecofriendly panels have good physical and mechanical stability under the effects of indoor conditions at least up to six months. Besides, the polyurethane coating added to the boards contributed to obtain lower TS and WA at all times. Regarding flexural properties, MOR and MOE obtained for all boards evaluated over time met the requirements established by ANSI Standard A208.1 along the 180 days of study. The higher modulus of rupture (MOR) obtained from the coated panels indicated that the presence of the coating on both surfaces increased the flexural strength.

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Chalapud, M.C., Ciannamea, E.M., Martucci, J.F., Ruseckaite, R.A. and Stefani, P.M., Biobased particleboards from rice husk and soy protein concentrate: evaluation of flexural properties and dimensional stability under indoor environmental conditions. DYNA, 90(226), pp. 156-162, April - June, 2023.

Received the BSc. Eng. in Chemical Engineering in 2007, from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia, and the PhD in Food Science and Technology in 2017, from theUniversidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina. From 2007 to 2012, she worked in food quality management systems for food companies. From 2017 to 2020, she worked in postdoctoral research in INTEMA (Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales) in Mar del Plata Argentina, studying the value added to agricultural wastes such as rice husks in bio-based particleboards. Currently, she is Professor in chemical engineering department in Universidad Nacional del Sur and she is carrying out an investigation in PLAPIQUI (Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química) in Bahía Blanca, Argentina, related to using of novel technologies to extract bioactive compounds and proteins in citric wastes and in beer processing by-products. ORCID: 0000-0002-8701-2041

Is Associate Researcher at the Institute of Materials Science and Technology Research (INTEMA), Mar del Plata, Argentina, and Associate Professor in the National University of Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Mar del Plata. He received his chemical engineering degree in 2007 and his doctoral degree in Material Sciences in 2013, both in the UNMdP. In the years 2014-2015 he done his postdoctoral research in Plapiqui, Bahía Blanca, Argentina. In his doctoral thesis he studied the development of active films based on soybean protein and natural active compounds and the aging of these materials intended for food packaging. Currently, his research is focused on the development of adhesives based on renewable and/or sustainable resources, including pressure sensitive, hot-melt adhesives and adhesives for plywoods and particlebords. ORCID: 0000-0001-6982-1550

Is independent researcher at the Institute of Materials Science and Technology Research (INTEMA-CONICET), Mar del Plata, Argentina, and an associate professor in the chemical engineering department in the National University of Mar del Plata (Engineering Faculty- UNMdP), Mar del Plata. She received her degree in chemistry in 2000 and her doctoral degree in Material Sciences in 2008, both in the UNMdP. In her doctoral thesis she developed mono and multilayer materials based in gelatin. Between 2009 and 2010 she carried out her postdoctoral research in INTEMA-CONICET studying the design and evaluation of multilayer films based on gelatin and biodegradable aliphatic polyesters. Currently, her research are focused on the development of active and intelligent materials for food packaging applications based on renewable and/or sustainable resources and the development of polymeric supports for the immobilization of cyanobacteria as a sustainable tool for environmental remediation. ORCID: 0000-0002-9789-4359

Is BSc. in Chemist in 1987, and Dr. in Materials Science in 1992, all of them from the University of Mar del Plata, Argentina. Is researcher of the National Research Council (CONICET) since 1998. Main interests: sustainable polymers for active and intelligent packaging, adhesives and bio/degradation. ORCID: 0000-0002-7409-5546

Is BSc. Eng. in Materials Engineer in 1994, and Dr. in Materials Science in 1999, all of them from the National University of Mar del Plata (UNMdP). He is currently an independent researcher of the National Research Council (CONICET), full professor of the Department of Materials Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering - UNMdP and coordinator of Sustainable Materials Division of INTEMA-CONICET. His current lines of research are focused on the development of materials based on renewable resources such as adhesives, nanocomposites based on bacterial cellulose, foams, particleboard derived from agro-industrial waste, structural plywood, and sustainable concrete. ORCID: 0000-0002-8140-4415.