Important results are published internationally, and we continuously strive to give broad information about the use of wood to the public.
Wood being a natural material, its characteristics are derived from the growing tree, affected by silviculture and forest site. Our expertise covers the value chain from forest via breakdown or defibration, seasoning and remanufacturing to processed timber products.
Chemical properties and interaction
Wood is a complex matrix of organic molecules that interact with water and other substances, forming nano-, micro- and cellular structures. We study how this affects wood traits like strength and appearance. Also the energetic potential is studied, as are extractives and mineral elements incorporated in wood, bark and leaves.
Durability, protection and modification
Wood is degradable, and as such a temporary state in the eternal cycle of elements and solar energy. Our activities include building models for predicting wood service life, DNA-tracing microbiologically induced wood deterioration, improving surface appearance, and extending durability or otherwise modifying wood properties for certain uses.