Resins

What are they used for?

The ErcrosGreen+ family includes a wide range of resins and adhesives that are mainly used for wood and furniture manufacturing; insulation; and impregnation of paper, mineral and synthetic fibres. Each variety of resins is especially suitable for the following specific applications.

Urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins:

• Particleboard and plywood
• Laminating
• Impregnation
• MDF

Melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) resins:

• Moisture-resistant particleboard
• Fibers

Melamine-formaldehyde (MF, modified MF) resins:

• Laminating
• Impregnation
• Postformable laminates
• Superplasticizers

Phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins:

• Plywood
• Fiber impregnation
• Paper impregnation

They offer excellent adhesion to wood and can be formulated using raw materials from renewable sources

Ercros offers urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins—specifically LEF (low formaldehyde emission) and ULEF (ultra-low formaldehyde emission) grades—that comply with European standards E0 and E1/2, as well as the California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards, phases 1 and 2.

Due to their high reactivity, low cost, and excellent adhesion to wood, UF resins are used for:

• For the manufacture of particleboard: boards are produced for interior applications (furniture, cabinets, doors, and insulation) that meet strict emission standards, such as class E0 or CARB Phase 2.
• For the manufacture of plywood: plywood panels are produced for wall, ceiling, and floor coverings, as well as for furniture and cabinets; their very low formaldehyde content allows them to comply with strict CARB Phase 2 emission standards.
• For lamination: paper impregnation processes are used to create laminates with a very low formaldehyde content.
• For impregnation: UF (urea-formaldehyde) resins are used to produce molding powders for the manufacture of a wide range of products with very low emissions.
• For the manufacture of fiberboard: very low-emission fiberboard (MDF) is produced, which complies with the most stringent regulatory standards.

At the client's request, the formulation can incorporate raw materials from renewable sources, thereby contributing to the development of a material with a lower carbon footprint.

They combine excellent moisture resistance with the possibility of incorporating raw materials from renewable sources

ErcrosGreen+ melamine-urea-formaldehyde resins are characterized by high moisture resistance and low formaldehyde emissions; they are primarily used in the production of moisture-resistant particleboard and fiberboard.

• Moisture-resistant particleboard: using these resins, we can produce boards intended primarily for indoor use that require high resistance to water and humidity. 
• Moisture-resistant fiberboard: for the manufacture of fiberboards with resistance to humidity, such as those used in the flooring sector.

Ercros offers melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) resins with low formaldehyde emissions (LEF, ULEF) that meet the most stringent standards (European E0 and E1/2 regulations, as well as CARB standards). Furthermore, they can be formulated using raw materials from renewable sources to reduce their carbon footprint.

Moisture resistance, thermal stability, and sustainability in a single product

Melamine resins are characterized by high moisture resistance and are primarily used in laminates and for paper impregnation. This category includes melamine-formaldehyde (MF) resins, which are used to manufacture laminate flooring and natural laminates, as well as modified melamine-formaldehyde (MFM) resins. The latter are designed for paper impregnation where high post-formability is required—essential for end-use applications involving very tight radii of curvature, such as certain types of molding—and for other specialized applications, including the production of superplasticizers.

Ercros offers LEF (low formaldehyde emission) and ULEF (ultra-low formaldehyde emission) melamine resins, which meet the standards set by European regulations and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Phase 1 and Phase 2 requirements (classified as E0 and E1/2).

• Lamination: enables the production of laminated panels for kitchens and bathrooms with very low formaldehyde emissions. 
• Impregnation: MF resins are used to produce molding powders for the manufacture of tableware and kitchen utensils that meet the strictest standards.
• Post-formable laminates: manufactured using modified melamine resins with very low formaldehyde emissions and designed to meet specifications for very tight bending radii. 
• Superplasticizers: modified melamine-formaldehyde (MF) resins, developed specifically as additives for the construction and ceramics sectors.

Optionally and upon request, the formulation can incorporate components of renewable origin, reinforcing a commitment to sustainability and the reduction of the carbon footprint.

Formulated for performance and sustainability

Ercros offers phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins in LEF (low formaldehyde emission) and ULEF (ultra-low formaldehyde emission) grades, classified as E0 and E1/2 according to European standards and CARB (California Air Resources Board) phases 1 and 2.

The high stability and water resistance of these PF resins provide highly advantageous properties for the manufacture of plywood, as well as for the impregnation of paper and fibers—including both glass and polyamide fibers.

• Plywood: for the manufacture of plywood panels intended for interior use, humid environments, or demanding outdoor conditions (such as marine-grade plywood), as they comply with E0 standards.
• Fiber impregnation: for the production of abrasive or insulating systems, thanks to the material's properties and its low free-formaldehyde content.
• Paper impregnation: for the manufacture of high-pressure laminates subject to very strict formaldehyde emission requirements.

The adaptable formulation allows for the integration of renewable raw materials to foster more sustainable solutions, reducing the carbon footprint.