Ecosynthetix Inc.

Niels M B Smeets

Steven Bloembergen

Somaieh Salehpour

J Douglas Ireland

Michael Kuska

A binder has at least one isocyanate and at least one biopolymer mixed with water. The biopolymer may be a biopolymer nanoparticle or cooked and chemically modified starch. Optionally, the binder may also include urea. The biopolymer and water are mixed, and the isocyanate is added to the mixture. The binder may have a viscosity that is suitable for being sprayed on a substrate to make a composite material, for example a viscosity of 700 cP or less or 500 cP or less at 40&#xb0; C. The substrate may be wood, another lignocellulosic material, or synthetic or natural fibers. In particular examples, the binder is used to make no added formaldehyde wood composites including particle board and fiberboard. Alternatively, the binder may have a higher viscosity and be used to make plywood.

Biopolymer and isocyanate based binder and composite materials

A binder comprising isocyanate droplets in water, wherein the isocyanate droplets have an average droplet size of 500 microns or less, and the isocyanate droplets have shells comprising a biopolymer or a reaction product of a biopolymer and isocyanate. The biopolymer may be a biopolymer nanoparticle or cooked and chemically modified starch. Optionally, the binder may also include urea. The substrate for the binder may be wood, another lignocellulosic material, or synthetic or natural fibers. In particular examples, the binder is used to make no added formaldehyde wood composites including particle board and MDF.

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Toronto, Canada

Niels M B Smeets