Wood modification - different processes and their use in Europe

Nowadays, wood modification is referred to as a process used to improve the physical, mechanical, or aesthetic properties of sawn timber, veneer or wood particles used in the production of wood composites. Though many aspects of these treatments are known, the fundamental influence of the process on product performance, the environment, and end of life scenarios remain relatively unknown. It is essential to integrate interactive assessment of process parameters, developed product properties, and environmental impacts. To optimize modification processing to minimize environmental impacts, much more information must be gathered about all process related factors affecting the environment. Wood modification represents an assortment of innovative processes currently being adopted in the wood protection sector or are at different stage of development (Fig. 1). These processes produces a material that can be disposed at the end of a product's life cycle without presenting any environmental hazards greater than those that are associated with the disposal of unmodified wood. [GRAPHICS] .