Forest Products Innovation researchers at the Queensland Department of Primary Industries have developed a rubberised particleboard that integrates crumb rubber into standard particleboard, offering a solution to timber shortages while addressing Australia’s waste tyre problem.
The research, supported by a $150,000 grant from Tyre Stewardship Australia’s Market Development Fund, has demonstrated that rubberised particleboard meets Australian standards for strength, stiffness, and moisture resistance at a 30 per cent rubber content.
Laboratory trials led by Dr Chandan Kumar confirmed that incorporating crumb rubber maintains the strength and durability of particleboard while enhancing moisture and termite resistance.
“Replacing up to 30% of the wood with crumb rubber maintains the strength and durability required for particleboard while improving other key properties,” Dr Kumar stated.
The product also offers superior acoustic and vibration-dampening properties, making it suitable for construction and furniture applications.
Additionally, it does not require changes to existing manufacturing processes, facilitating commercial adoption.
The innovation presents new market opportunities for tyre recyclers and manufacturers seeking sustainable materials.
Recycled tyre-derived particleboard could appeal to building material suppliers, engineered wood product manufacturers, furniture makers, architects, and exporters catering to the growing demand for recycled-content materials.
With Australia generating 537,000 tonnes of used tyres annually and 34 per cent still ending up in landfills or the environment, this product could contribute significantly to the circular economy.
Dr Kumar highlighted its potential to “reduce tyre waste at scale while providing the particleboard industry with a sustainable feedstock alternative.”
The Queensland Department of Primary Industries, in collaboration with commercial partners, is preparing for full-scale manufacturing trials to bring rubberised particleboard to market.
The project involved key industry stakeholders, including Laminex, Hexion Pty Ltd, Chip Tyre, and Tyrecycle, with guidance from experts such as Harrison Brooke from the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia and Simon Dorries, CEO of Responsible Wood.
Tyre Stewardship Australia continues to support the project’s commercialisation efforts, aiming to establish rubberised particleboard as a viable alternative to traditional timber-based materials.
