Recent Advances on Lignocellulosic-Based Composites for Performance and Environmentally-Compatibility Improvement

Abstract

To write this article, more than 300 articles were overviewed, that covered what has been published in the most important journals of the research area of Wood Science and Technology, from 2002 to 2006. From those, 115 are referred in this article. This review presents the latest results from research on wood composites, and more broadly, on lignocellulosic-based composites, aimed, obviously, at improving performance in service, but with a special emphasis on research progresses that have bringing about environmental benefits, too. Topics covered include chemical modification, nonwood fiber resources, thermoplastic-based composites, composites from waste or recycled lignocellulosics, improvement of biodeterioration resistance, adhesives based on renewable chemical resources, low-or near-zero-emission formaldehyde-based adhesives, reduction of volatile organic compounds emissions, structural applications, inorganic binders, LCA -LifeCycle Assessment, heat treatment, binderless composites.