Lupin was first introduced to Iceland in 1945, when plants were transplanted from Alaska to replenish sterile soil. Having the ability to produce nitrogen, lupin can sustain itself as well as other surrounding plants, which allows it to endure harsh Icelandic environments. However, this same characteristic allows lupin to spread easily, invading the territory of native mosses. While there is not a consensus among Icelanders as to whether or not lupin is a positive addition or a negative one, researchers at the Iceland Academy of the Arts are capitalizing on this by seeking to revere this plant instead of demonizing it by creating a biodegradable fiberboard.
As lupin is a fibrous plant, fibers can be produced from its stems, leaves, and roots, each having different characteristics. When the material is harvested is the major variable which determines the fiber strength, leaving a lot of flexibility in regards to the materials strength. Regardless, the resultant material is exceptionally light, having similar flexural strengths to low density fiberboard or MDF. Like MDF, lupin fiberboards are water absorbent, but can be coated like any other water absorbent material. Lupin fiberboards distinguish themselves from other fiberboards, as the lupin fibers are self-binding. This is due to the cellulose in lupin, which can act as a natural adhesive. This is extremely unique, as this natural cellulose adhesive could replace synthetic glues used in traditional MDF board. While this is a promising material, the material variability is the main obstacle to lupin fiberboard’s widespread use.
Sources:
https://www.lupineproject.com/In-brief
Material Transformations 
Iceland has been called a lunar landscape but recently it is turning purple. The introduction of Lupine, a purple flowering legume, to Iceland in the 1940s was a way of soil reclamation due to poor soil which is naturally occurring. Lupine produces nitrogen for the soil as it grows which provides nutrition for other plants but because it is able to grow in soil that is not optimal for other native species in Iceland, it has started taking over and become a nuisance. The invention of the Lupine-based fiberboard is a new use for this invasive species as a means to control the spread of this plant. The ability for it to bind to itself without additional synthetic glues is one of its positive attributes. If this fiberboard were to become more widely used, would Lupine begin to be introduced to new places, or grown more widely across Iceland. As it is being harvested now from the existing growth, what happens when this eventually runs out. There is a scent of hay after the product is produced if more leaves are among the fibers. This scent would not be ideal to have in a piece of furniture. Lupine is dividing Iceland but finding new ways to use it, could help this fissure among Icelanders.
https://www.hakaimagazine.com/features/why-iceland-is-turning-purple/
https://www.futurematerialsbank.com/material/lupine-fibers/
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