Binder composition

1. A method of bonding together surfaces of two or more elements at least one of which is a mineral wool element bonded by a mineral wool binder, wherein the method comprises providing the two or more elements, applying an adhesive to one or more of the surfaces to be bonded together before, during or after contacting the surfaces to be bonded together with each other and curing the adhesive, the adhesive comprising an aqueous binder composition for mineral fibers, which composition comprises one or more polyelectrolytic hydrocolloids and is capable of being cured at a temperature of not higher than 95° C.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more polyelectrolytic hydrocolloids comprise one or more hydrocolloids selected from the group consisting of gelatin, pectin, alginate, carrageenan, gum arabic, xanthan gum, and cellulose derivatives.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein one of the one or more polyelectrolytic hydrocolloids is gelatin.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises at least two polyelectrolytic hydrocolloids, one polyelectrolytic hydrocolloid being gelatin and at least one other polyelectrolytic hydrocolloid being selected from the group consisting of pectin, alginate, carrageenan, gum arabic, xanthan gum, and cellulose derivatives.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein gelatin is present in a concentration of from 10 to 95 wt.-%, based on a weight of the at least two polyelectrolytic hydrocolloids.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises at least two polyelectrolytic hydrocolloids which have complementary charges.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises one or more proteins of animal origin and wherein the composition further comprises at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of transglutaminase (EC 2.3.2.13), protein disulfide isomerase (EC 5.3.4.1), thiol oxidase (EC 1.8.3.2), polyphenol oxidase (EC 1.14.18.1), catechol oxidase, tyrosine oxidase, phenoloxidase, lysyl oxidase (EC 1.4.3.13), and peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7).

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition consists essentially of water, the one or more polyelectrolytic hydrocolloids; optionally at least one oil; optionally at least one pH-adjuster; optionally at least one crosslinker; optionally at least one anti-fouling agent; optionally at least one anti-swelling agent.

9. A method of bonding together surfaces of two or more elements at least one of which is a mineral wool element bonded by a mineral wool binder, wherein the method comprises providing the two or more elements, applying an adhesive to one or more of the surfaces to be bonded together before, during or after contacting the surfaces to be bonded together with each other and curing the adhesive, the adhesive comprising an aqueous binder composition for mineral fibers, which composition comprises at least two polyelectrolytic hydrocolloids, one polyelectrolytic hydrocolloid being gelatin and at least one other polyelectrolytic hydrocolloid being selected from the group consisting of pectin, alginate, carrageenan, gum arabic, xanthan gum, and cellulose derivatives.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein gelatin is present in a concentration of from 10 to 95 wt.-%, based on a weight of the at least two polyelectrolytic hydrocolloids.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the composition comprises one or more proteins of animal origin and wherein the composition further comprises at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of transglutaminase (EC 2.3.2.13), protein disulfide isomerase (EC 5.3.4.1), thiol oxidase (EC 1.8.3.2), polyphenol oxidase (EC 1.14.18.1), catechol oxidase, tyrosine oxidase, phenoloxidase, lysyl oxidase (EC 1.4.3.13), and peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7).

12. A method of bonding together surfaces of two or more elements at least one of which is a mineral wool element bonded by a mineral wool binder, wherein the method comprises providing the two or more elements, applying an adhesive to one or more of the surfaces to be bonded together before, during or after contacting the surfaces to be bonded together with each other and curing the adhesive, the adhesive comprising an aqueous binder composition for mineral fibers, which composition consists essentially of water, one or more polyelectrolytic hydrocolloids; optionally at least one oil; optionally at least one pH-adjuster; optionally at least one crosslinker; optionally at least one anti-fouling agent; optionally at least one anti-swelling agent.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the one or more polyelectrolytic hydrocolloids comprise one or more hydrocolloids selected from the group consisting of gelatin, pectin, alginate, carrageenan, gum arabic, xanthan gum, and cellulose derivatives.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein one of the one or more polyelectrolytic hydrocolloids is gelatin.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the composition comprises at least two polyelectrolytic hydrocolloids, one polyelectrolytic hydrocolloid being gelatin and at least one other polyelectrolytic hydrocolloid being selected from the group consisting of pectin, alginate, carrageenan, gum arabic, xanthan gum, and cellulose derivatives.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein gelatin is present in a concentration of from 10 to 95 wt.-%, based on a weight of the at least two polyelectrolytic hydrocolloids.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the two or more elements comprise at least one element which is not a mineral wool element.

18. The method of claim 9 , wherein the two or more elements comprise at least one element which is not a mineral wool element.

19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the two or more elements comprise at least one element which is not a mineral wool element.