Partnership with SUSBOARD aims to replace fossil-based adhesives with bio-based alternatives.
Sonae Arauco, one of the global leaders in wood-based panels, has joined SUSBOARD, a Horizon Europe project backed with €6.9m in funding. The initiative aims to develop 100% bio-based, formaldehyde-free adhesives for particleboard and medium-density fibreboard (MDF), providing safer and more sustainable solutions for furniture production.
Linking innovation to climate goals
Adhesives and chemicals account for a large share of Sonae Arauco’s Scope 3 emissions, representing around 82% of its total greenhouse gas footprint. By supporting the development of bio-based adhesives, the company is actively seeking to cut emissions across its value chain.
Since 2019, Sonae Arauco has reduced total greenhouse gas emissions by 41%, including a 39% reduction in Scope 3 emissions, through collaboration with suppliers and circular economy initiatives. The company has set an ambitious target of a 58.8% reduction by 2033, in line with the Paris Agreement and the EU Green Deal.
SUSBOARD represents a tangible step toward replacing fossil-based materials with renewable alternatives. The project reinforces Sonae Arauco’s sustainability goals while helping customers access greener, cost-competitive products.
Driving a low-carbon future
The EU-funded project brings together leading companies and research institutes across Europe. Over the next four years, SUSBOARD will scale up production, test industrial applications, and accelerate the transition to bio-based materials. The initiative is expected to deliver safer, more sustainable wood-based panels and contribute to a low-carbon future.
