ORIGINAL ARTICLE Materials mix ratio and binder type effects on physical and mechanical properties of particleboard from mixed-wood sawdust and Cocos nucifera (Coconut) husks Peter Kessels Dadzie 1,2,3 • Michael Awotwe-Mensah 4,5 • Martin Amoah 4,5,6 Received: 31 July 2020 / Accepted: 22 October 2021 Ó Indian Academy of Wood Science 2021 Abstract Finding supplements to wood and curbing environmental effects of waste disposal have become glo- bal topical issues. We investigated density, dimensional stability and bending properties of particleboards from mixed-wood sawdust and Cocos nucifera (coconut) husk fibres in respective mix ratios of 100%: 0; 70%: 30%; 50%: 50%; and 0%:100% using cassava starch and urea- formaldehyde (UF) binders. 1993 BS EN protocols 310 (for density and bending properties) and 317 (for water absorption and thickness swelling) were employed. Particle sizes were 1– B 3 mm based on sieving with 3 mm mesh. Density was low to medium range (& 397–& 666 kg/m 3 ) though UF bonded boards were relatively and continuously higher with increased coconut fibres proportions compared to CS bonded ones. Also, UF bonded boards absorbed less water and exhibited dimensional stability relative to CS bonded boards. Bending strength of UF bonded boards was higher (MOEs ranging from & 40%. to 1097%., and MORs being &125–652% higher) compared to the CS bonded counterparts. Materials mix ratio, binder type and their interactions had significant effect (p \ 0.01) on den- sity, MOE, and MOR. In conclusion, producing particle- board from coconut fibre and mixed-wood sawdust is possible with CS and UF as binders, but 0%W:100%C mixed ratio exhibited better MOE and MOR. Hence, efforts should be made to convert Cocos nucifera husks and sawdust into particleboard production to make avail- able more alternative/supplementary materials/products to wood to reduce deforestation rate and curtail the environ- mental problems associated with the residues’ disposal. Keywords Particleboard Á Wood sawdust Á Cocos nucifera Á Cassava starch Á Urea-formaldehyde Introduction Globally, the strive for economic development and its associated expansion in the building, construction, farming and other industrial sectors has led to astronomical demand for materials/products and the generation of substantial quantities of residues. The wood products sector appears to be one worst affected area leading to continuous defor- estation and other environmental consequences including CO 2 emissions. Meanwhile, reducing deforestation to a lower level is found to be the surest way of reducing CO 2 emissions and also the least costly method of mitigating climate change- a big environmental issue of global con- cern (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005; Gorte and Sheikh 2010). Thus, it is evident that some of the steps to & Peter Kessels Dadzie pkkdadzie@yahoo.com; peter.kdadzie@kstu.edu.gh Michael Awotwe-Mensah awotwemensah78@yahoo.com Martin Amoah martamoah@yahoo.com 1 Interior Design and Materials Technology Department, Kumasi Technical University, Box 854, Kumasi, Ghana 2 Forest Products Society (FPS) of U.S.A, Peachtree Corners, USA 3 Society of Wood Science and Technology (SWST) of U.S.A, Monona, USA 4 Department of Construction and Wood Technology, University of Education Winneba, Kumasi Campus, Kumasi, Ghana 5 Faculty of Technical Education, University of Education Winneba, Kumasi Campus, Kumasi, Ghana 6 Commonwealth Forestry Association (CFA), Kumasi, Ghana 123 J Indian Acad Wood Sci https://doi.org/10.1007/s13196-021-00288-y