Modified Wood and Fibres

The work in this area mainly involves three wood modification concepts:
1) acetylation; 2) furfurylation; and 3) thermal modification. Modified wood produced according to these methods are already commercially available.
SP’s unique pilot plant for modification of wood, using microwave technology, is utilised in the project for modifying wood in lumber dimensions. Other EcoBuild partners have full scale production facilities for modified wood that are also used within the Centre. A continuous full scale fibre modification plant (DanAcell) is also available for EcoBuild activities.

The work spans a range of activities from fundamental investigations with substantial scientific depth to application-oriented and market-oriented studies. A permanent goal is to further the understanding of the modification chemistry and the mode of action of the durability enhancements that are results of the process. Furthermore, analysis methods for fast and reliable determining of treatment level and quality control systems are developed. Finally, property enhancements gained by modification are evaluated and demonstrator products will be manufactured for target markets, e.g. garden wood products (furniture, decking and railing), public furniture and playground equipment, external joinery, cladding, wet room application, marine applications and water cleaning systems.

Various types of products are addressed in several projects within this research area. Each project is coordinated by a leader, recruited from one of the participating industries, from a university or from a research institute.