LANDBASERT-LANDBASERT

The BarkBuild project is developing new bark-based wood protection and building formulations and demonstrating their technical performance, safety, and sustainability in wood impregnation, as surface treatments, and as polymer composites for outdoor and indoor use. The project analyzes the stability of various bark-based chemicals in wood impregnation and as surface treatments. So far, results show that a wood treatment with bark-based chemicals increases resistance to degrading fungi. The uptake and distribution of various bark-based chemicals in wood have been investigated and optimized. Additionally, the fixation of the chemicals in the wood matrix has been examined and improved. Using chemicals from the bark as a surface treatment has shown water-repellent properties. The material properties and performance related to various uses, which we've analyzed in the BarkBuild project, are not just crucial for our research. They also hold significant potential for commercialization.

Tree bark can be upgraded to wood treatment formulations that substitute harmful and petroleum-derived chemicals, and simultaneously extend functionality of wood in building and construction end-uses. Wood impregnation for outdoor building applications with bark-derived chemicals will cause permanent bulking, improvement in dimensional stability and changes in wood-water relations. A significant increase in durability against fungi is expected. We further expect that a lumen filling treatment, solely or in combination with the treatment on cell wall level, will increase the resistance against marine borers. In addition, the planned use of a diamine or polyamine cross-linkers will improve retention of the bark phenols and contribute to intumescent flame retardant properties. Wood coatings: Bark polyphenols can be used in combination with LCNF to prepare coatings that physically and chemically protect wood from fungal decay. Lignin has inherent antibacterial and antifouling properties, which can be used by itself or in combination with nanocellulose to create functional coatings for wood products. VOC absorbing composites for indoor applications: We hypothesise that bark-derived activated carbons allow for efficient deposition with metal oxides that can be incorporated into a coating system and used on indoor composite panels. The addition of the metal oxide on the activated carbon (MOAC) surface will boost generation of free radicals and response to visible light and result in enhanced VOC absorption in the developed coating system. Additionally, the activated carbon will enhance the fire and acoustic performance of the composite panels. Finally, valorisation of bark nanoparticles will improve the properties of bio-based polymer adhesives systems used within the composites.