Published December 1, 2017 | Version 1
Journal article Open

Wood modification technologies - a review

  • 1. Luleå University of Technology, Wood Science and Engineering, SE-931 87 Skellefteå (Sweden)
  • 2. University of Primorska, Andrej Marušič Institute, Muzejski trg 2, SI-6000 Koper (Slovenia); InnoRenew CoE, Livade 6, SI-6310 Izola (Slovenia)
  • 3. TEI of Thessaly, Research Lab of Wood Science and Technology, Griva 11, GR-43100 Karditsa (Greece)

Description

The market for new durable products of modified wood has increased substan- tially during the last few years, especially in Europe. This increased interest depends partly on the restricted use of toxic preservatives due to increased environmental concern, as well as the need for reduced maintenance for wood products that are mainly for exterior use. Furthermore, as sustainability becomes a greater concern, the environmental impact of construction and interior materials should be included in planning by considering the entire life cycle and embodied energy of the materials used. As a result, wood modifica- tion has been implemented to improve the intrinsic properties of wood, widen the range of sawn timber applications, and acquire the form and functionality desired by engineers, without bringing environmental friendliness into ques- tion. The different wood modification processes are at various stages of devel- opment, and the challenges that must be overcome to expand to industrial applications differ amongst them. In this paper, three groups of wood modifi- cation processes are discussed and exemplified with modified wood products that have been newly introduced to the market: (i) chemical processing (ace- tylation, furfurylation, resin impregnation etc.); (ii) thermo-hydro processing (thermal treatment); and (iii) thermo-hydro-mechanical processing (surface densification). Building on these examples, the paper will discuss the environ- mental impact assessment of modification processes and further development needs. 

Notes

http://www.sisef.it/iforest/contents/?id=ifor2380-010

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Funding

InnoRenew CoE – Renewable materials and healthy environments research and innovation centre of excellence 739574
European Commission