Energy Grass as Raw Material for MDF Production

Abstract Medium density fiberboards are widely produced and used in Europe. The main raw materials used in Hungary are beech (Fagus sylvatica), hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), poplar (Populus spp.) and pine (Pinus spp.). Governmental subsidizing of biomass for power plants has created economic pressure and a shortage of wood prompting a major producer of energy grass to initialize a project to examine the possibility for the production of MDF from energy grass “Szarvasi-1” (Elymus elongatus (Agropyron elongatum) cv. Szarvasi-1). Prior to this, no research results on the experimental production of MDF from energy grass had been published. In our research study, energy grass was defibrated and MDF boards were produced with the use of different adhesives. Standard tests were completed to evaluate the suitability of this alternate raw material in MDF production. The best result was achieved with phenol formaldehyde (PF) adhesive.