Development of Cement-Bonded Particleboards for Modular Housing in Brazil (CBPB-BR)

• Grant number: 25/12625-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2025
• End date: October 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Civil Engineering - Construction Industry
• Agreement: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
• Principal Investigator: Joao Adriano Rossignolo
• Grantee: Joao Adriano Rossignolo
• Principal researcher abroad: Dirk Berthold
• Institution abroad: Fraunhofer-Institut für Holzforschung - Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut , Germany
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: Pirassununga
• Associated researchers: Afonso José Felicio Peres Duran ; Ana Carolina Constâncio Trindade ; Holmer Savastano Junior
• Associated research grant: 23/12355-0 - Increasing local preparedness to Sargassum tides in the Amazon and the Mexican Caribbean through enhanced monitoring and blue economies, AP.R

Abstract

Brazil is facing a housing crisis, with national initiatives targeting the delivery of millions of new homes. This creates an urgent demand for affordable, flexible materials suitable for modular construction. Cement-bonded particleboards (CBPB), widely used in Europe for flooring and wall systems, offer a promising solution but remain a niche product in Brazil due to the lack of domestic manufacturers and high import costs. To address this gap, Bausal GmbH (Germany), a leader in CBPB development and sales, aims to establish local CBPB production in São Paulo, leveraging abundant eucalyptus and bamboo resources to support the regional bioeconomy. However, adapting CBPB technology to Brazil's context requires targeted research and development, as the chemical properties of eucalyptus and bamboo differ significantly from the spruce traditionally used in Europe, affecting board performance. In addition, variations in cement types and additives between regions necessitate optimization of formulations and production processes to ensure structural integrity and dimensional stability. This project, supported as a seed fund initiative, marks the first step in fostering collaboration between Fraunhofer WKI and NAP BioSMat (University of São Paulo). Its primary goal is to initiate technical and market dialogues, assess the feasibility of producing CBPB from locally available eucalyptus and bamboo, and define a clear pathway for further development. Additionally, the exploratory use of marine biomass residues, such as Sargassum, will be considered to enhance sustainability and valorize locally relevant waste streams, building on insights from the related FAPESP-funded research (23/12355-0). As part of this exploratory phase, initial CBPB demonstrators will be produced to validate material performance. The project will also map key stakeholders and potential partners to support future scaling. Outcomes and insights will be shared in a dedicated workshop in São Paulo, laying the groundwork for the next stages of technical optimization, market entry, and broader adoption of sustainable CBPB solutions in Brazil's construction sector. (AU)