Research was carried-out to investigate the feasibility of electrostatically applying PF powder resin to OSB furnish to improve resin distribution and thereby improve panel properties. Research elsewhere has shown that resin distribution is an important factor affecting panel properties including internal bond strength and thickness swell. It was theorized that electrostatic charging would distribute resin more uniformly on strands compared to conventional application techniques and would help to strengthen the bond between resin and strands thereby minimizing resin losses and allowing for greater levels of resin to be retained on OSB furnish. Small-scale tests were conducted in Forintek's Vancouver laboratory followed by pilot plant tests at the Alberta Research Council (ARC) which involved electrostatically charging resin and aspen furnish in a pilot plant blender. Lab results showed that the average amount of resin retained by strands (retention) increased with electrostatic application compared to control applications. During pilot plant tests, image analysis results showed that resin coverage increased using electrostatics. Also, the coefficient of variation in resin coverage was lower for electrostatic applications compared to the controls. However, contrary to previous research findings, test panels made from electrostatic and control batches in a pilot plant did not show any significant differences in internal bond and thickness swell properties. Electrostatic application of powdered PF resin does not appear to sufficiently improve resin distribution in aspen to affect panel properties. Although pilot plant results were not promising, lab tests have shown that electrostatic application techniques are sensitive to material properties and that other wood species may be more suitable for charging than aspen. Further research will be continued at Forintek's eastern lab in the 1998/99 year to investigate electrostatic application of resins to mixed hardwood species.