Abstract: There are disclosed by-products of pecan nuts and processes for producing such by-products including products and processes involved in extracting water soluble phenolic constituents from the shell and packing tissue of the pecan to obtain a pecan nut shell extract (PNSE), reacting the PNSE with an aldehyde and an acid or a base catalyst resulting in the materials being condensed to form a highly cross-linked polymer which with thermal setting produces a phenol-formaldehyde resin (a Bakelite form of plastic). The plastics may be formed with lesser or greater density by control of conditions and may incorporate various fibers such as glass, asbestos or cellulose or non-fibrous filler material and may be cast, molded, extruded or otherwise formed into electrical insulation, laminated materials, particle or composition board, or thermal insulation.