Valorizing beech wood through innovative and environmentally friendly chemical modification treatments

PI : Philippe Gerardin (EA 4370 Laboratoire d’Etudes et de Recherche sur le Matériau Bois — LERMAB)

Co-applicants : Holger Militz (Department of Wood Biology and Wood Technology, Georg August Universität, Göttingen, Germany)

________________________________________________

Context — Wood durability is a major issue when wood is exposed to outdoor conditions and possible degradation by decay fungi. Depending on the species and the intended conditions of use, wood can effectively be used without treatment if its natural durability is deemed sufficient, or following various treatments aimed to increase its durability. An accelerated interest in developing chemical and thermal wood modification treatments to limit the use of biocidal substances began in the early 2000’s in response to the European Comission’s Biocidal Products Directive (BPD). These methods represent both a more environmentally friendly way to preserve wood material, but also offer promising opportunities to improve wood durability, particularly for beech wood which is known for its low natural durability, and effectively, to develop valorisation of this species widely available in France and Germany.

Objectives — The primary aim of the project will be to develop and evaluate the potential of innovative methods for chemically modifying wood based on a combination of impregnating waterborne solutions composed of different vinylic plyglycerol derivatives followed by thermal modifications performed in temperatures ranging from 180 to 220°C.

Approach — Beginning with treatments previously developed in a laboratory scale at LERMAB, we envisage developing these treatments for preindustrial use by up scaling the chemical modification process. This will be carried out collaboratively with the Department of Wood Biology and Wood Technology at Georg-August Universität, Göttingen (Germany) for performance evaluation of the obtained modified wood.

Expected results and impacts — Development of wood polymer composites to allow for the utilization of beech wood in outdoor conditions and further valorisation of this wood species currently underexploited in Lorraine, and adaptation of the process for industrial scale use at the end of the PhD program.