Sustainable Particleboards Based on Sugarcane Bagasse and Bonded with a Waste-Grown Black Soldier Fly Larvae Commercial Flour-Based Adhesive: Rheological, Physical, and Mechanical Properties

This study explores the use of black soldier fly larvae protein as a bio-based adhesive to produce particleboards from sugarcane bagasse. A comprehensive evaluation was conducted, including rheological characterization of the adhesive and physical–mechanical testing of the panels according to European standards. The black soldier fly larvae-based adhesive exhibited gel-like viscoelastic behavior, rapid partial structural recovery after shear, and favorable application properties. Particleboards manufactured with this adhesive and sugarcane bagasse achieved promising mechanical performance, with modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity values of 30.2 and 3500 MPa, respectively. Internal bond strength exceeded 0.4 MPa, complying with European standard 312-3 specifications. For comparative purposes, a panel made with Eucalyptus grandis particles was also produced under the same conditions to demonstrate the versatility of the adhesive system. Compared to other bio-based and synthetic adhesives, this bio-based system showed competitive performance and derives from the bioconversion of organic residues. Protein adhesives were synthesized from Hermetia illucens larvae grown commercially on agricultural waste from potato chip production, emphasizing the renewable origin of both the biomass and the final adhesive. These results highlight the potential of insect proteins as sustainable and circular alternatives for the wood panel industry.