San Francisco – Smith & Fong Co. announced it has developed a soy-based adhesive system for its line of Plyboo bamboo plywood and flooring.

Trademarked Soybond, the new adhesive system is the result of more than two years of research at Smith & Fong’s manufacturing facility. The first Soybond-based Plyboo panel will be on the ground in North America in November, according to company founder and president Dan Smith, and all Plyboo plywood and flooring production is expected to be converted to Soybond by the first quarter of 2010.

Smith explained that soy-based adhesives have excellent mechanical properties that compete well with chemical-based alternatives, but offer advantages in indoor air quality, workplace environmental safety and ease of disposal. The United Soybean Board states that soy-hydrolyzate and soy-flour adhesives do not require hazardous waste disposal.

For information, visit plyboo.com.