Since March 9, we are pleased to welcome Daniela Joel to the the Polymeric Materials department. She joins our team as a laboratory technician. We wish her every success in her work and warmly welcome her to the group.
New scientific employee
April 1st, 2026 | by Münstermann, Nils
Malgorzata Augspurger has joined our working group since April 1. We’re glad to have her as part of the team and wish her all the best and much success in her upcoming work!
New Publication: From Shell Waste to Strong Wood Glue: The Future of Bio-Based Adhesives
March 15th, 2026 | by Münstermann, Nils
Sustainable adhesives are becoming increasingly important, especially in applications where petrochemical resins containing problematic substances such as formaldehyde still dominate. Our latest study now shows that chitosan-based wood adhesives are a promising bio-based alternative. Chitosan is derived from chitin, a natural polymer found, among other sources, in the shells of crustaceans and generated in large quantities as a by-product of the food industry.
Two fully bio-based adhesive systems were investigated: chitosan itaconate and chitosan maleate. Both are based on renewable raw materials and were specifically developed for wood bonding. What is particularly interesting is that the acids used not only solubilize the chitosan, but also enable curing into a stable network. Both acids can be obtained via biofermentation, making the adhesive system entirely bio-based.
The results are remarkable: in the dry state, both adhesives met the requirements of DIN EN 12765 class C1 and exhibited so-called cohesive wood failure. This means that under mechanical stress, it was not the adhesive bond that failed, but the wood itself. Chitosan itaconate, in particular, also performed well under wet conditions: after treatment in boiling water, its bond strength remained at 2.7 N/mm², close to the demanding C4 class.
Chitosan itaconate is therefore a promising candidate for wood bonding applications requiring moderate moisture resistance, such as interior construction or semi-exposed uses. Chitosan maleate also showed good dry adhesion, but lost significant stability upon contact with water.
In conclusion, bio-based wood adhesives made from chitosan are far more than a niche concept. Chitosan itaconate in particular combines renewable raw materials with convincing adhesive performance and could represent an important step toward more environmentally friendly materials in the wood industry.
N. Münstermann, O. Weichold
Chitosan-itaconate and chitosan-maleate as fully bio-based sustainable wood adhesives
International Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives, 2026, 149, 104327 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijadhadh.2026.104327
New publication: Moisture absorption in cationic hydrogels
November 11th, 2025 | by Ece Durdagi
We are delighted to present another study by our working group in the specialist journal Polymers. In their latest publication, Tim Mrohs and Oliver Weichold show how the water absorption behaviour of diallylammonium-based hydrogels can be specifically controlled by cross-linking density and ionic interactions. The results provide design rules for moisture control, demonstrate endothermic sorption processes and shed light on how reversible ionic crosslinks can improve water absorption.
Mrohs, T.; Weichold, O.
Dynamic water vapour sorption behaviour of crosslinked polycationic diallylammonium-based hydrogels
Polymers 2025, 10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129219
Our group at the K-Messe 2025 in Düsseldorf
October 14th, 2025 | by Ece Durdagi
On 9 October, our entire working group visited the K-Messe in Düsseldorf, the world’s leading trade fair for plastics and rubber. We learned about the latest developments in sustainable materials and innovative processing technologies. The exchange with industry partners and research institutions provided valuable inspiration for our own work and future projects.
Lecture Award for Prof. Weichold at the Coatings Conference 2025
September 19th, 2025 | by Ece Durdagi
At this year’s Coatings Conference 2025 in Aachen, Prof. Weichold received the lecture award. He presented the talk “Wood on the Rise – Sustainable Protection for a Building Material with a Future.”
EPNOE 2025
September 5th, 2025 | by Ece Durdagi
Nils Münstermann and Paul Marten attended EPNOE 2025 in Sundsvall, Sweden, last week.
Nils Münstermann gave a presentation on ‘Chitosan-itaconate as binder for high-strength fibreboards’.
Paul Marten presented a poster on ‘Chitosan-based adhesives for wood and acrylic glass bonding’.
Hot-Line: Trident Measures Movement
September 4th, 2025 | by Ece Durdagi
New in the lab: Trident. Three testing methods in one device: bulk, film, or melt, we can now measure thermal conductivity precisely and make our research even more flexible.
Tim Mrohs at ISP2025 in Brasil: Hydrogels and Water Vapor Insights
August 15th, 2025 | by Ece Durdagi
From July 13 to 18, 2025, the 14th International Symposium on Polyelectrolytes (ISP2025) took place in Campinas, Brazil. This year, the conference celebrates its 30th anniversary. Tim Mrohs presented his latest research findings with the lecture “Dynamic Water Vapor Sorption in Crosslinked Polycationic Hydrogels: Thermodynamic and Kinetic Insights.”
In it, he presented that polycationic hydrogels based on diallylammonium derivatives exhibit a specifically adjustable water vapor sorption behavior that is influenced by crosslink density, counterions, and monomer structure. Using a systematic DVS analysis of five formulations, he provided thermodynamic and kinetic insights that underscore the potential of these materials for moisture regulation, barrier coatings, and water harvesting.
Visit from Maejo University
August 15th, 2025 | by Ece Durdagi
Last month, we welcomed Prof. Panwad Sillapawattana from Maejo University in Thailand. As part of a joint research project, she conducted initial experiments in our laboratory and engaged in intensive discussions with our team. The visit was not only scientifically enriching, but also a wonderful cultural and personal exchange. We look forward to continuing our collaboration.
