Kategorie: ‘Chitosan’
RWTH article on our publication: “Spectacular alternative to classic wood stain”
We are delighted that our innovative wood stain has now also been recognised by the official press office of RWTH Aachen University. In a recent article, the RWTH highlights the discovery process and the special properties of our chitin glaze. It also highlights our sustainable approach to environmentally friendly alternatives in the construction industry.
Our coating is based on chitin, a natural substance found in crab shells and insect shells. It is not only water and stain repellent, but also UV-resistant, flame-retardant and fully compostable. While conventional wood preservatives are often hazardous waste, our coating fits perfectly into the circular concept of sustainable building materials.
The full article from the RWTH press office can be found here.
Spruce wood in a fire test: the effect of chitosan itaconate as a coating
In our publication “A fire-retardant coating for wood made from chitosan itaconate”, Nils Münstermann and Oliver Weichold test the fire behaviour of untreated spruce wood and spruce wood coated with chitosan itaconate. While the untreated spruce wood burns down completely, the flame in the coated wood goes out by itself without the test specimen burning completely.
Spruce uncoated
Spruce coated
N. Münstermann, O. Weichold
A fire-retardant coating for wood made from chitosan itaconate
Progress in Organic Coatings 2024, 197, 108793 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2024.108793
Polymer Blends & Eurofillers 2025
Paul Marten and Fabian Weitenhagen attended and delivered presentations at Polymer Blends & Eurofillers 2025 in Lyon this week.
Paul Marten presented the “Development and Characterisation of a Composite Material based on Polylactic Acid, Chitin, and Lecithin”.
Fabian Weitenhagen presented “Sustainable Biopolymer Composites Using Recycling Cellulose from Wastepaper”.
Contributions to our publication: Fire-retardant wood coating
The publication “Fire-retardant Coating For Wood Made From Chitosan Itaconate” is internationally recognised by an article in the Italian trade journal Pitture e Vernici – European Coatings (Issue 1/2025, page 36) and by a web post by European Coatings entitled “A fire-retardant coating for wood made from chitosan itaconate” – News and insights for the European coatings industry. The chitosan itaconate glaze is transparent, emphasises the natural wood grain and renders the surface water-repellent. It reliably protects the wood from moisture, prevents UV-induced greying and efficiently reduces the burning rate. With just two applications on spruce and three on beech wood, the glaze is self-extinguishing. Find out more.
This bio-based approach combines resource conservation with effectiveness and demonstrates how environmental preservation and safety requirements can be successfully combined. It fills us with joy and appreciation to see that our work is attracting greater attention.
Pitture E Vernici: Fire-retardant Coating For Wood Made From Chitosan Itaconate, Fascicolo 1/Gennaio – Febbraio 2025 – Pitture e Vernici, https://www.pittureevernici.it/archivio/archivio-2025/fascicolo-1-gennaio-febbraio2025/.
European Coatings: A fire-retardant coating for wood made from chitosan itaconate – News and insights for the European coatings industry, https://www.european-coatings.com/news/application-areas/a-fire-retardant-coating-for-wood-made-from-chitosan-itaconate/.
Joint publication:Plant protection from insect larvae
The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) not only offers a sustainable source of protein, but also the potential to extract chitosan – a versatile biopolymer – from the larval skins. A joint study with the research group led by Dr. Sabine Gruber from the University of Innsbruck and the FH Campus Vienna shows how biological waste from BSF production can be processed into bioactive chitosan using environmentally friendly enzymatic processes. This chitosan has strong antifungal properties and improves the germination and disease resistance of plants such as sugar beet. It therefore offers an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fungicides and chitosan, which is obtained from crescent shells. This innovation underlines the potential of the insect industry to make good use of waste and create sustainable solutions for agriculture and industry.
C. Escobar Rodríguez, V. Zaremska, T. Klammsteiner, I. Kampatsikas, N. Münstermann, O. Weichold, S. Gruber
Chitosan obtained from black soldier fly larval cuticles expands the value chain and is effective as a biocontrol agent to combat plant pathogens
Carbohydrate Polym. 2025, 349, Part B, 123023 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.123023
New publication: Fire-retardant wood coating
Wood is currently experiencing a renaissance in the construction and furniture industry. With its natural charm, versatility and environmental friendliness, wood is a popular building material. However, this natural material is susceptible to external influences such as moisture, UV radiation, stains and, above all, fire. Fire in particular poses a major risk in the construction industry due to the easy flammability of wood. Once ignited, untreated wood often burns down completely without any external heat supply. N. Münstermann and O. Weichold have now developed an innovative, sustainable wood coating based on polymerized chitosanitaconate. The basis of the coating, chitosan, is a residual product from the food industry and itaconic acid can be obtained biotechnologically. The coating is therefore made entirely from bio-based materials and not only offers protection against moisture, UV radiation and stains, but is also non-flammable. When applied to wood, it delays ignition and significantly inhibits the spread of flames. Just one coat reduces the burning rate by a third. Two coats on spruce wood are enough to make the material self-extinguishing. Three layers are required for hardwoods such as beech. This bio-based approach combines resource conservation with high effectiveness and shows that environmental protection and safety requirements can go hand in hand.
N. Münstermann, O. Weichold
A fire-retardant coating for wood made from chitosan itaconate
Progress in Organic Coatings 2024, 197, 108793 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2024.108793
6th Junior EPNOE
At the 6th European Polysaccharide Network of Excellence (EPNOE) Junior Scientist Meeting 2024, September 4-6, 2024 in Vienna, Austria, we were represented with two contributions:
Nils Münstermann
High-Strength Chitosan-bonded Fibreboards in Sustainable Construction (presentation)
Paul Marten
Development of a Chitosan-Based Adhesive for Wood-Acrylic Glass Laminates (short presentation and poster)
New publication: Wood coating made from biogenic residues
Wood has been a central building material for mankind for thousands of years and is characterised by its bioavailability, sustainability and versatility. Nevertheless, the chemical structure of wood poses a number of challenges. It is susceptible to biological degradation processes, for example by fungi, bacteria or insects, and shows signs of graying due to lignin degradation when exposed to UV radiation. To prevent this, N. Münstermann and O. Weichold have developed an environmentally friendly coating based on chitosan, a biopolymer obtained from food waste.
The newly developed chitosanitaconate coating is transparent, emphasizes the wood grain and gives the wood hydrophobic properties with contact angles of over 90°. It effectively protects the wood from moisture, prevents graying caused by UV radiation and reduces staining caused by coffee or red wine, for example. Thanks to its strong adhesion and adaptability, the coating is highly versatile. By adding pigments, the coating can be adapted to the aesthetic requirements of modern interior design. Chitosanitaconate combines wood protection, modern aesthetics and sustainability – a versatile solution for environmentally friendly construction.
N. Münstermann, O. Weichold
Chitosan itaconate based water- and stain-repellent coatings for wood
Progress in Organic Coatings 2024, 194, 108630 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2024.108630
Presentation
Nils Münstermann gave a presentation entitled ‘Chitosan as an environmentally friendly binder for high-strength fibreboards’ at the 2024 doctoral seminar of the GDCh Construction Chemistry Division in Aachen, Germany.
Presentation
Paul Marten gave a presentation entitled ‘Development of a chitosan-based adhesive for wood-acrylic glass bonding’ at the 2024 doctoral seminar of the GDCh Construction Chemistry Division in Aachen, Germany.
