[
  {
    "id": "water",
    "title": "Water and moisture resistance",
    "summary": "Most bio-binders are rich in hydroxyl, amine and carboxyl groups that absorb water. Dry strength is easy to reach; wet, cyclic and boil tests are where candidates fail.",
    "detail": [
      "Report dry and wet results separately and name the pretreatment (for example EN 314-1 bonding-quality pretreatments, or soaking and boiling cycles).",
      "The service class matters. A binder that suits interior furniture board can still be unsuitable for humid or exterior use."
    ],
    "ask": "Which standard and pretreatment was used, and does the product class require it?",
    "routes": [
      "proteins",
      "carbohydrates",
      "carboxylic-acids",
      "crosslinkers"
    ]
  },
  {
    "id": "press",
    "title": "Press time, temperature and line throughput",
    "summary": "Panel lines are tuned to fast-curing UF and pMDI. Slower cure or higher press temperature lowers output and raises energy use, which can cancel out a cheaper feedstock.",
    "detail": [
      "Express press time per mm of board thickness at a stated press temperature and compare it with the incumbent on the same line.",
      "High-moisture binders can cause steam blows. Account for the moisture content of resinated particles or veneer."
    ],
    "ask": "What press factor (s/mm) and temperature did the test use, and how does it compare with UF on the same line?",
    "routes": [
      "lignin",
      "tannins",
      "carboxylic-acids",
      "nipu",
      "crosslinkers"
    ]
  },
  {
    "id": "rheology",
    "title": "Viscosity, solids content and pot life",
    "summary": "Protein and tannin solutions become very viscous at the solids content needed for low water input. Spraying or roller application, and storage stability, limit what can be used.",
    "detail": [
      "Report viscosity together with solids content, temperature and age. One viscosity figure on its own cannot be compared."
    ],
    "ask": "What were the solids content, viscosity and pot life under plant conditions?",
    "routes": [
      "proteins",
      "tannins",
      "carbohydrates"
    ]
  },
  {
    "id": "emissions",
    "title": "Formaldehyde and VOC emissions",
    "summary": "From 6 August 2026, REACH Annex XVII entry 77 limits formaldehyde release from furniture and wood-based articles placed on the EU market to 0.062 mg/m³ under its test conditions. \"Formaldehyde-free\" claims need emission data, not only a recipe.",
    "detail": [
      "Hardeners such as hexamine, and some crosslinkers, release formaldehyde. Natural wood also emits small amounts.",
      "Formaldehyde, other VOCs and climate impact are separate questions. A low-carbon binder can still emit VOCs."
    ],
    "ask": "Was emission measured with a chamber method on finished boards, and against which limit?",
    "routes": [
      "tannins",
      "lignin",
      "crosslinkers",
      "proteins"
    ]
  },
  {
    "id": "renewability",
    "title": "Renewable-content accounting",
    "summary": "A bio-based binder can be crosslinked with a fossil crosslinker, and a mass-balance claim is not the same as measured bio-based carbon. The basis must be stated.",
    "detail": [
      "Distinguish binder-level from whole-formulation renewable content, including crosslinkers, catalysts, extenders and additives.",
      "Measured bio-based carbon (for example by radiocarbon methods) and mass-balance attribution answer different questions."
    ],
    "ask": "What share of the whole formulation, on a dry basis, is renewable, and how was it determined?",
    "routes": [
      "crosslinkers",
      "acrylics",
      "nipu",
      "lignin"
    ]
  },
  {
    "id": "variability",
    "title": "Feedstock variability and supply",
    "summary": "Lignin, tannin and protein side streams vary with source, season and process. Panel producers need consistent specifications in large volumes.",
    "detail": [
      "A single laboratory batch does not show supply. Look for specifications, multiple lots and contracted volume."
    ],
    "ask": "How many lots were tested, and what volume can be supplied to specification?",
    "routes": [
      "lignin",
      "tannins",
      "proteins"
    ]
  },
  {
    "id": "durability",
    "title": "Biological durability and ageing",
    "summary": "Protein and carbohydrate bond lines can support mould growth and lose strength over time. Accelerated ageing data are rarely reported.",
    "ask": "Were mould resistance or ageing tested, and was a biocide needed?",
    "routes": [
      "proteins",
      "carbohydrates"
    ]
  },
  {
    "id": "economics",
    "title": "Cost per qualified bond",
    "summary": "Price per tonne of binder is misleading. Compare total bonding cost for the same qualified product, covering dosage, solids, additives, press time, energy, rejects and capital changes.",
    "ask": "What is the cost per m³ of qualified board compared with the incumbent on the same line?",
    "routes": [
      "lignin",
      "proteins",
      "tannins",
      "carbohydrates",
      "carboxylic-acids",
      "crosslinkers",
      "nipu",
      "acrylics"
    ]
  },
  {
    "id": "lca",
    "title": "Comparable life-cycle evidence",
    "summary": "Claims of carbon benefit need a functional unit (for example 1 m³ of a defined board class), a system boundary and an equivalent incumbent product. Feedstock origin on its own does not prove a benefit.",
    "ask": "What functional unit, boundary and comparator does the LCA use, and was it reviewed?",
    "routes": [
      "lignin",
      "proteins",
      "tannins",
      "carbohydrates",
      "carboxylic-acids",
      "crosslinkers",
      "nipu",
      "acrylics"
    ]
  },
  {
    "id": "recyclability",
    "title": "End of life and recyclability",
    "summary": "Debondable or reversible binders could enable panel recycling. Laboratory joint recovery is far from panel-scale recycling economics.",
    "ask": "Was recovery shown on panels, with solvent and energy use accounted for?",
    "routes": [
      "lignin",
      "proteins"
    ]
  }
]