Ecobuild a center for development of fully biobased material systems and furniture applications

• There is a great incentive and motivation in the building and wood research communities as well as in the industry to develop more eco-efficient and durable wood-based products with better performances. In this context, eco-efficient products refer to "green" sustainable products where both economical and ecological aspects have to be balanced. This presentation will give the general strategies within the newly formed Swedish Institute Excellence Center, EcoBuild. The conceptual idea for this competence centre is a conversion of biomass into innovative, eco-efficient and durable wood based products. The vision is that EcoBuild will, through the formation of a university-institute-industry cooperation, act as an international leading innovation, research and technology development platform within the wood science and technology field. The research projects within the centre are guided by a group of about 30 industry partners and also by end-user demands (Fig. 1). Types of materials in focus are: modified solid wood such as heat treated, furfurylated and acetylated wood, biobased binders and coatings, and biocomposites. A top priority is to develop fully biobased products, i.e., all raw materials should preferably be biobased, including chemicals for modification, adhesives, and surface treatment. Aspects and initial results regarding some of the EcoBuild activities will also be presented. Examples of research projects already started are: 1) Novel bio-based board resins; 2) UV-resistant clear coatings for exterior use; 3) Highly durable WPCs for outdoor use based on modified wood particles; 4) Modification of hardwood for exterior applications; 5) Fundamental understanding of the mechanisms involved in the durability of modified wood.

Keyword

acetylation

adhesives

biobinders

bioresins

chemical modification

coatings

composite

ecology

economy

furniture

TECHNOLOGY

TEKNIKVETENSKAP

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)