Rubberised Particleboard research to start developing new Australian-made wood products for manufacturers, builders and retailers

Forest Products Innovation researchers at Queensland Department of Primary Industries have demonstrated that rubberised particleboard is both technically viable and commercially promising. This innovative material integrates crumb rubber into standard particleboard, reducing timber requirements while enhancing product performance and addressing Australia’s waste tyre challenges. The research was made possible through Tyre Stewardship Australia’s Market Development Fund, which provided $150,000 in support. 

Key Findings at a Glance

✅ Rubberised particleboard meets Australian standards (AS 1859.1) for strength, stiffness and moisture resistance at 30% rubber content.

✅ Improved moisture and termite resistance compared to standard particleboard.

✅ Better acoustic and vibration-dampening properties, ideal for diverse applications in construction and furniture.

✅ No changes required to manufacturing processes, ensuring easy integration on a commercial scale.

Unlocking Market Opportunities for Tyre Recyclers 

For tyre recyclers, this innovative building material creates new commercial pathways by increasing demand across multiple industries. Recycled tyre-derived particleboard can appeal to: 

• Building manufacturers and suppliers looking for durable, resource-efficient materials. 
• Engineered wood product manufacturers integrating recycled content into their production. 
• Home furniture manufacturers and retailers seeking sustainable material alternatives. 
• Architects and designers prioritising circular economy solutions in their projects. 
• Exporters of Australian-made products catering to growing international demand for recycled-content materials. 

The Challenge

Australia’s particleboard manufacturers are struggling with severe timber shortages as domestic wood supplies dwindle while demand continues to rise. Industry projections show global wood demand increasing by 49% in the next 25 years, with conventional particleboard production contributing significantly to this resource pressure. To meet current production needs, Australia relies heavily on domestic timber resources and imported additives. Meanwhile, Australia generates 537,000 tonnes of used tyres annually, with over a third (34%) still ending up in landfills or improperly disposed of in the environment. 

The FPI team, led by Dr Chandan Kumar, aimed to answer two key questions: 

➡️ Can crumb rubber replace wood feedstock in particleboard manufacturing? 

➡️ Can this product offer new applications beyond traditional cabinetry? 

The Results 

Laboratory trials confirmed that integrating crumb rubber into particleboard is not only feasible but can also deliver enhanced product performance. “Replacing up to 30% of the wood with crumb rubber maintains the strength and durability required for particleboard while improving other key properties,” said Dr Kumar. 

The product demonstrated a gain in additional benefits such as moisture resistance, reduced thickness swelling, and superior acoustic and vibration-dampening properties compared to standard particleboard. It may also offer further benefits of natural termite resistance, reducing the need for chemical insecticides. 

Dr Kumar emphasised the potential for industry transformation: “This innovation has the capacity to reduce tyre waste at scale while providing the particleboard industry with a sustainable feedstock alternative.” 

Why It Matters

• Timber Alternatives: Crumb rubber can help reduce Australia’s reliance on timber imports and provide a steady alternative feedstock from recycled tyres. 
• Circular Economy: Incorporating crumb rubber supports national resource recovery goals. If 50% of particleboard produced in Australia used 20% crumb rubber, the industry could consume an estimated 82,500 tonnes of crumb rubber annually. This approach not only diverts end-of-life tyres from landfill but also reinforces circularity in the tyre industry. 
• New Applications: Rubberised particleboard offers superior moisture resistance, termite resistance, and acoustic performance, allowing for new markets in construction and furniture beyond standard cabinetry. 

“With the wood products industry and supply chain currently focused on delivering solutions to support Australia’s circular economy, this project demonstrates that unique collaboration between industries can offer surprising and exciting opportunities to develop new and innovative products.” – Harrison Brooke, Technical Manager, Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia.

“This is a very exciting project to be involved with. It has shown that by adding recycled tyre rubber, the physical properties of particleboard can be improved and potentially alleviate the need for adding petrochemicals to meet moisture resistance requirements of Australian Standards. This is an excellent example of a beneficial contribution of the circular economy.” Simon Dorries, Chief Executive Officer, Responsible Wood.

Next Steps

Rubberised particleboard is now ready for full-scale manufacturing trials. Tyre Stewardship Australia is supporting the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to connect with commercial partners and potential end users to bring this product to market. 

Project Partners and Innovators 

The success of this project is the result of collaboration between key industry leaders and experts: 

Forest Products Innovation (FPI) team at Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI): 

• The project was led by Chandan Kumar, Principal Scientist at DPI, with contributions from colleagues Benoit Gilbert, Bill Leggate, Rob McGavin, Paul Chen, Adam Faircloth, Babar Hassan, Maryam Shirmohammadi, Chris Dowse, Ryan Lovell, and Andrew Hayes (USC) for various component of the project.
• The FPI team created the Rubberised Particleboard Industry Steering Committee, whose members provided valuable feedback and insight.
• FPI works with forest growers, resource processors, and manufacturers to develop innovative wood products, improve processing technologies, and promote the best use of renewable, sustainably managed bioresources. 

Industry Steering Committee Members: 

• Harrison Brooke, Technical Manager, Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia 

• Simon Dorries, CEO, Responsible Wood 

• Tony Dakin, Head of CLT Supply, XLAM (previously Hyne Timber) 

• Dr Linda Mitchell, Science, Research and Innovation Manager, Tyre Stewardship Australia 

Key Industry Partners: 

• Laminex – Supplied wood particles. 

• Hexion Pty Ltd – Supplied adhesives. 

• Chip Tyre and Tyrecycle – Provided crumb rubber derived from Australia’s used tyres.
• Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) Market Development Fund – Provided $150,000 in funding, along with advice and support for commercialisation and connections with end markets.

Want to know more? 

• Visit the Queensland Government website for full project details. 

• Contact TSA’s Market Development Fund team for commercial opportunities at getonboard@tyrestewardship.org.au. 

• Discover other TSA-supported projects and case studies. 

#ReinventingTheWheelForGood 

#TSAMarketDevelopmentFund 

@ForestProductsInnovation 

@QueenslandDepartmentPrimaryIndustries 

@EngineeredWoodProductsAssociationOfAustralasia 

@ResponsibleWood 

@XLAM 

@HyneTimber 

@Laminex 

@Hexion 

@ChipTyre 

@Tyrecycle