Composite maillard-resole binders

A composition comprising a binder and loosely assembled matter, the binder comprising a polymeric product of a curing reaction between phenol, formaldehyde, a carbohydrate, and an ammonium salt of a polycarboxylic acid, wherein the phenol, the formaldehyde, the carbohydrate, and the ammonium salt of the polycarboxylic acid are reactants that (i) are combined at ratios such that the polymeric product is infusible, water-resistant, and includes a mixture of cured resole resin and melanoidins, (ii) form a coating of high-solids liquid on the loosely assembled matter after being disposed thereon, and (iii) function as an uncured binder of the loosely assembled matter prior to the curing reaction thereon.