CORVALLIS - An inspiration that began when an Oregon State University researcher watched mussels being pounded by ocean waves has now evolved into a new wood adhesive that is creating jobs for U.S. workers, drawing interest from all over the world and leading a major shift away from formaldehyde-based composite wood products.

Plywood panels bonded with this adhesive are being marketed as "PureBond" by Portland-based Columbia Forest Products. The adhesive is also now being made available to other manufacturers, and research is continuing to explore the full range of possible uses.

Traditional urea formaldehyde adhesives have been commonly used for making various wood composite panels, but the toxic formaldehyde the panels release has raised concerns about cancer, indoor air quality and other health issues.

The new adhesive is one of the first of its type that can cost-effectively replace urea-formaldehyde. It was originally developed by Kaichang Li, an associate professor of wood science and engineering at OSU, after he watched mussels clinging tenaciously to rocks while being pounded by large waves on the Oregon coast.

Fundamental research on the chemistry of the mussels' byssus - small threads that attach them to rocks and other surfaces - revealed a protein with a very unusual chemical composition that allowed the mussels to stick tightly to surfaces despite being inundated in water. Later studies discovered that a similar protein could be created by modifying cheap, abundant and environmentally benign soy protein.

With collaboration and support from Columbia Forest Products and Hercules Incorporated, which is now Ashland Chemical, further work was done to bring the basic discoveries to commercial use.

The adhesive is now being used in hardwood plywood, particleboard, medium density fiberboard, and other wood composite panels. Further uses are anticipated.