FAIR-CT96-3187 Process development & technological evaluation of products for chemical modification of wood

Contacts




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FAIR Area 2.1 - Chemical and Physical Processes : Process Engineering : Solid Wood Products : Wood (Lignocellulose)

	Type of Project	Shared Cost
	Contract No	FAIR-CT96-3187
	Total Cost	1,315,825 ECU
	EC Contribution	999,825 ECU
	Start Date	01/10/1997
	Duration	48 months

Process development and technological evaluation of final products based on new methods for chemical modification of solid wood

Objectives

The overall objective is to develop adequate treating processes for selected chemical reactants in order to obtain wood products with enhanced properties. The best chemical wood-modification system should only deal with environmentally acceptable byproducts and solvents and intends to use simple process technology.

Technical Approach

The methodology for scaling up this process technology include:

• development of a process technology for selected chemical wood modification systems
• adjustment of the basic process in order to meet requirements of products with enhanced properties
• production of specific end products based on chemically modified wood and evaluation of the improved commodity properties
• global analysis of the ability of different treating systems to be adopted in industrial products, taking into consideration the market, the performance and the life cycle analysis
• to design viable industrial plants for chemical modification of wood

Expected Results

The final result of the project is to establish of a range of treating schedules for the five reactants enabling the production of commodities with enhanced properties. The end products envisaged are parquet flooring, window joinery, exterior cladding, wet room and exterior furniture and wood used in soil and water contact.

Within the scheme of scaling up the main developments relate to improved dimensional stability and increased resistance against biological decay by fungi and other organisms. Furthermore the overall quality of the products include assessment of paintability and glueability, weathering performance, strength properties, emissions, interaction with other materials and fire resistance.

Applications

Starting from five chemical reactants scaled up treating processes allow to produce end products with enhanced material properties. After in service testing and evaluation according to standard test methods, industrial adoption is based upon market analysis as well as feasibility evaluation and LCA analysis. The wood that has been chemically modified, should perform in an outstanding way in applications that are up to now only possible under controlled circumstances.

The SHR treatment facilities for chemical modification
of solid wood allowing a wide range of treating parameters

Examples of the types of product that could be produced
from modified wood, including a high quality window frame (left).

Contacts

Coordinator

• Joris VAN ACKER / University of Gent Laboratory of Wood Technology / BELGIUM

EC Scientific Officer

• Alexandros ARABATZIS / European Commission DG Research Theme 1 Key Action 5.3 / BELGIUM

Participant

• Prof Rune SIMONSON / Chalmers University of Technology Department Forest Products / SWEDEN
• Bauke van der Werf / De Vries Kozjinen BV NETHERLANDS
• IR. E BECKERS / FOUNDATION FOR TIMBER RESEARCH SHR NETHERLANDS
• Antti NURMI / Technical Research Centre of Finland VTT Building and Transport / FINLAND
• Enquiries / The National Non-Food Crops Centre UNITED KINGDOM