A theoretical model for heat and moisture transfer in wood composite mats during hot-pressing is developed based on the basic principles of mass conservation, momentum of gas flow, energy conservation, and resin curing kinetics. The model provides a mathematical description of the coupled physical phenomenon in hot-pressing process as a closure problem in which fifteen governing equations are rigorously derived to solve fifteen unknown variables of mat environmental conditions. These variables, including mat temperature, gas pressure, and moisture content are linked to basic material properties such as mat density, thermal conductivity, and permeability. Initial and boundary conditions for solving the governing equations are also discussed
