Project: Artificial heartwood
The project aims to improve the properties of pine sapwood for window applications using a renewable, tannin-based formula.
Project information
Project name
Artificial heartwood: Functional modification of Scots pine sapwood for durable window applications
Project manager
Reza Hosseinpourpia
Other project members
Sheikh Ali Ahmed, Linnaeus University; Reeta-Maria Stod and Päivi Vihtonen, Stora Enso, Sweden
Participating organizations
Linnaeus University; Stora Enso
Financier
Vinnova
Timetable
1 May 2023–31 Oct 2023
Subject
Forestry and wood technology (Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Faculty of Technology)
More about the project
The wood product industries are under pressure to reduce the biocidal content in their products or to replace it with renewable compounds, due to the negative environmental impact of those both in service and at disposal. Although no chemical exists today able to be adaptable to the current industrial setup while being cost and performance efficient, a few bio-based systems will have high future relevance if their shortcomings are addressed properly.
Tannins have been extensively studied to improve the durability of common European timbers; however, due to instability in wood cells and leaching, the effectiveness of tannins is reduced over time. Therefore, the Artificial heartwood project aims to follow a stepwise approach by preparing and testing a tannin-based formula, as a 100 % bio-based compound, for protecting Scots Pine sapwood for window applications. The project is highly aligned with the efforts of the wood and building industries to reduce their carbon footprint and reach a bio-based social economy with a direct contribution to various Agenda 2030 goals.
The project is part of the research in the Forest Products research group and the Linnaeus Knowledge Environments Advanced materials and Green Sustainable Development.