Modification of wood - new chances for timber use - Bôke F. Tjeerdsma SHR Timber Research Wageningen – The Netherlands Nieuwe kanaal 9b P.O. Box 497, NL 6700 AL Wageningen, The Netherlands Website: Woodism – International Partnering meeting 30 January Winterthur

Wood modification 30 January 2007 Woodism Winterthur Wood modification Improving the properties of wood by means of changing the molecules of wood No addition of toxic components Alteration of low-value-wood-species Definition

Wood modification 30 January 2007 Woodism Winterthur Wood modification – Improving the durability increasing the resistance against biological attack – Improving dimensional stability – Aesthetic properties – Colour – Hardness – Water repellent – Acoustic properties – Combination with flame retardant Multiple aims

Wood modification 30 January 2007 Woodism Winterthur Wood modification Reasons for modification of wood – Technical restrictions (durability, dimensional stability, uv degradation, water absorption) – Availability of wood & and increasing prices – Use of European wood species – Tropical hardwoods & wood preservation – From research idea to industrial market introduction – Modified wood available on the market – Industrial diversity & Product development State of the art

Wood modification 30 January 2007 Woodism Winterthur A challenging project with modified wood Wooden traffic bridges Acetylated radiata pine Accoya TM - Titan Wood High demanding construction Adhesives - lamination Connections – glued-in-rods Coating Maintenance and durability

Wood modification 30 January 2007 Woodism Winterthur Wood modification – Many projects – Ecotan ( – Hydrofoob – Ecobinders – modification with furans ( – Thematic Network Woodmodification – 3e European Conference on Wood Modification Cardiff – Wales October 2007 ( Experiences European projects Relevant - European projects