Abstract: The binder serves to produce foundry moulds and comprises a solution (preferably an aqueous solution) of aldehyde reactive phenol substances and gaseous acetals (preferably dimethyl formal) as reaction partners and strong acids, e.g. sulphuric acid and sulphonic acids as a catalyst. The acetal is in this system hydrolysed by the acid, the basic aldehyde being formed, which will react with the aldehyde reactive phenol substance accompanied by cross-linking. The acid serves thereby simultaneously as a cross-linking catalyst. In principle, it is possible to regard as "aldehyde reactive phenol substances" any phenolic compounds which can in the acid range cross-link more or less spontaneously with aldehydes. Preferably, these are resorcinol or resorcinol products, e.g. resorcinol pitch or precondensates formed with a shortfall of aldehyde, e.g. based on resorcinol formaldehyde, phenol resorcinol formaldehyde or resorcinol melamine formaldehyde.To produce foundry moulds, a granular basic moulding material, e.g.