Formaldehyde-free protein-containing binder compositions

A fiber product comprising:

• inorganic or organic fibers and a cured thermoset binder prepared from a one-part binder solution comprising an aqueous mixture of:
• a protein;
• and
• an aqueous solution comprising at least a first crosslinking compound comprising a solution polymer compound of styrene and maleic anhydride and a second crosslinking compound comprising a crosslinking agent of a polyol, wherein the first and second crosslinking compounds are individually crosslinkable with each other and with the protein, and wherein the aqueous solution does not include an emulsion of the first crosslinking compound or the second crosslinking compound.

A method of making a fiber product, the method comprising:

• providing fibers comprising organic fibers or inorganic fibers;
• applying a one-part binder solution to the fibers, wherein the one-part binder solution comprises an aqueous mixture of:
• a protein;
• and
• an aqueous solution comprising at least a first crosslinking compound comprising a solution polymer compound of styrene and maleic anhydride and a second crosslinking compound comprising a crosslinking agent of a polyol, wherein the first and second crosslinking compounds are individually crosslinkable with each other and with the protein, and wherein the aqueous solution does not include an emulsion of the first crosslinking compound or the second crosslinking compound;
• and
• reusing an unused portion of the one-part binder solution in a subsequent application of the one-part binder solution to the same fibers or a different group of fibers.