Abstract
The hot pressing process for 100% coriander-based fiberboards was optimized using an induction RocTool system, which offers rapid mold heating and cooling. The fiberboards were made using deoiled press cake as a protein binder and extrusion-refined straw as reinforcement. Doehlert's experimental design was used to evaluate the influence of pressure (10-50 MPa), molding time (60-300 s), and mold temperature (155-205 °C) on fiberboard properties, energy consumption, cost, and environmental impact. The results showed that the RocTool device allows for better temperature control during shaping throughout the mold, resulting in mechanical properties that are both more homogeneous across the entire surface of the panel and, more importantly, substantially improved. Using the isoresponse curves, the optimal hot pressing conditions were 35 MPa, 300 s, and 205 °C, corresponding to a 40.6 MPa flexural strength. However, it was observed that to achieve an MDF-like fiberboard with minimal production costs, much less restrictive molding conditions were sufficient, i.e., 32.5 MPa, 170 s, and 160 °C. The study revealed that maximum thermopressing conditions emitted 3.87 kg of CO2 eq., while conditions leading to the MDF-like board reduced emissions to 1.45 kg CO2 eq., resulting in a more environmentally friendly material.