Abstract: The process comprises isolating phenol and partially formaldehyde wherein molar ratio thereof is from 1:1.4 to 1:3.5 at a pH of from 0.65 to 0.8 in the presence of a vegetable sorbent, such as saw-dust, at the boiling point. The resultant product of reaction of phenol and formaldehyde with components of the sorbent is separated from the liquid phase and used. Methanol is removed from the liquid phase, whereafter residual formaldehyde is isolated therefrom by adding a condensation component selected from phenol and urea and a vegetable sorbent. The process is conducted at 60.degree.-100.degree. C. at a pH of from 0.65 to 10. The resultant product of reaction of the phenolic component, formaldehyde and components of the sorbent is also used.The process enables the purification degree of waste liquors from toxic substances to be as high as 98-99%, and makes it possible to obtain a useful product.

Abstract: The compression-moulding composition according to the present invention contains 95 to 98 parts by weight of a product resulting from the treatment of crushed wood with an aqueous solution of phenol and formaldehyde at the boiling temperature of said solution in the presence of hydrochloric acid at a weight ratio between phenol formaldehyde, water, hydrochloric acid and crushed wood equal to 0.15-0.40:0.048-0.27:10-15:0.0724-0.1086:1 respectively, 1 to 3 parts by weight of a curing agent, viz. hexamethylenetetramine, 0.5 to 1 part by weight of a curing accelerator such as calcium oxide or magnesium oxide and 0.5 to 1.0 part by weight of a lubricant such as stearing, oleic acid or stearates. The compression-moulding composition of the present invention has an increased water-resistance (its water-absorption is at most 42-82 mg), a high curing rate (0.57-0.8 min/mm), elevated Martens yield temperature (up to 146.degree. C.