International Wood Products Journal

The purpose of this conceptual study was to introduce a possibility of integrating a surface treatment of monocotyledons by enzymes into particleboard production to provide a substitute raw material to replace wood particles. Because of the greater competition for wood as a raw material for particleboard production, there is increasing interest in monocotyledons as a substitute for wood. Monocotyledons, such as grass or cereal straw, differ from wood mostly in that they have a surface layer of waxes and embedded silica. If particles of monocotyledons are to be used in combination with wood in particleboards they must be modified. Using the concept of anaerobic digestion, it is possible to modify the surface of monocotyledon particles, having methane as a side product and to achieve a process, which leads to greater product diversity. A SWOT analysis was used to evaluate the process.

This study was performed to determine if several moderately utilised Peruvian hardwoods had potential for spalting applications. Authors applied a modified decay jar methodology with six native Peruvian woods and three fungi, with a period of incubation of 6 weeks. Results showed that Nigrospora sphaerica and marupa (Simarouba amara) showed the highest significant internal pigmentation (black), followed by congona (Brosimum alicastrum) and zapote (Matisia cordata) tested with Cladosporium herbarum. No spalting occurred on woods with darker sapwood.

The paper describes an investigation into the potential for using small diameter finger jointed and laminated poplar in the manufacture of school chairs in Iran. When compared with solid wood controls, the results were positive although there were marked differences in performance of the various jointing/laminating methods. Failures usually occurred at the glue line.

Improving the durability of exterior coatings is essential for the use and development of wood as a building material. In Europe, performances of wood coatings are mainly estimated through visual assessments of panels exposed to weathering. The aim of this work was to investigate the Persoz pendulum as a simple tool to gain information on hardness and mechanical properties of exterior wood coatings. The influence of the substrate and the coating thickness has been studied to figure out the limits of the test method. Through a comparison with tensile tests performed on free films, Persoz pendulum was found to be relevant as a simple tool to estimate mechanical properties of the coating film. Finally, Persoz hardness was assessed on several coatings exposed to 4032 h of artificial weathering. Results have shown that the pendulum hardness test is a useful method to study wood coatings performances for outdoors.

This study examines the strategic investment choices made in pulp and paper industry (PPI) within the last two decades. We first describe investments, initiated projects, and closures of pulp and paper mills and profitability of the 22 largest pulp and paper companies in North America, Western Europe and Japan. We then examine the development and impact of R&D investments by comparing the timing of R&D investments with changes in profitability. The results indicate that the relationship between R&D and profitability is company specific. Our findings indicate further that the logic of R&D investment differs across firms; in some companies, changes in profits cause changes in the R&D investment level, whereas in others the opposite holds. It also seems that the sample companies have not actively sought new market opportunities through innovation activity, but rather by geographical re-location of production.

Soft rot decay of treated wood in ground contact and loss of service-life remains an important economic issue worldwide. This study determined the identity of unclassified Phialophora strains (204-1, 35-1, TS4M3, 25M3) isolated from wood in-service. Phylogenetic analysis clustered strains into a single clade homologous with Phialocephala dimorphospora. Sequencing of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA showed minor differences at single bases for strains 35-1 and 25M3. Compatibility occurred between TS4M3, 25M3 and 204-1 but not 35-1, Phialophora lagerbergii or Phialophora botulispora. Birch was more rapidly degraded than pine for all strains, with strain 35-1 least aggressive. Light microscopy showed Type I diffuse soft rot cavity formation reminiscent of P. dimorphospora. Growth rates at 15, 20 and 26°C were similar for TS4M3, 25M3 and 204-1 but always less for 35-1. Strains 35-1 and TS4M3 showed highest Cu-tolerance on CuSO₄ and micronized copper incorporated into malt extract agar plates. Results indicate the Phialophora spp. A strains represent P. dimorphospora as suggested by strong homology and decay morphology, although considerable intra-variation exists.

Carbon storage in harvested wood products (HWPs) is seen as a measure to mitigate climate change. The increased use of long-life wood products, however, should be thoroughly analysed before being promoted as a climate mitigation strategy. The national carbon pool of HWPs is very dynamic, due to changing patterns of wood product consumption and trade. Carbon accounting models are a common tool for estimating and projecting carbon pools. The purpose of this study is to analyse and find the relevant features of existing models that are related to the carbon pool in HWPs. From the many existing models, we have selected several representative models. We have analysed these selected models in depth by looking at their features, components and application. The models have variable features, depending on their scope and the modelling objectives. Significant modelling components for assessing the climate change mitigation potential of wood products are often missing. For example, the material substitution effect in the construction sector is rarely quantified, even if it would result in a significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In this paper, we propose modelling components for a scenario-based model capable of using country-specific data for major groups of HWPs that would allow improved assessments of the climate change mitigation potential of alternative forest resource utilisation scenarios.