Presentation of the preliminary results from EU Project CELLUWOOD at the International Trade Fair HABITAT (Spain, 11th-14th February 2014). Coordinator and responsible of the project: Miguel Ángel Abián The EU Project CELLUWOOD is co-funded by the CIP Eco-innovation First Application and Market Replication Projects Initiative. Through the Eco-innovation funding scheme, the EU wants to support innovative products, services and technologies that can make a better use of our natural resources and reduce Europe’s ecological footprint. The project has developed non-petrochemical adhesives (bio-resins) for improving the mechanical strength of laminated timber, so it can be used in large structures for buildings. This will encourage the use of renewable materials and avoid the use of adhesives petrochemicals. Furthermore, these bio-resins are being used to repair the wood defects such as cracks and knots, which improves the material utilization. This project is co-funded by IVACE (Instituto Valenciano de Competitividad Empresarial) and by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

1. New Materials for Building Construction
made of Cellulose-Strengthened Wood
Author: Miguel Ángel Abián (AIDIMA)

2. Partners and funding of the project
Partners:
– AIDIMA (Technology Institute, Spain)
– InWood Developments (SME, UK)
– Tecnifusta (SME, Spain)
– Contemporary Building Design (SME, Slovenia)
– Chimar Hellas S.A. (SME, Greece)
– Brunel University (University, UK)
– InnovaWood (European Network, Belgium)
Funding:
The project (duration: 36 months) is co-funded by CIP Eco-innovation First
Application and Market Replication Projects Programs (European Comission),
IVACE (Instituto Valenciano de Competitividad Empresarial) and European
Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

3. Partners and funding of the project

4. General objectives of the project
The CELLUWOOD project aims to develop a new range of structural elements
made of wood by introducing innovative production elements and includes the use
of cellulose instead of petroleum-based glue in the lamination of the timber
products.
The ‘physical’ results will be the strong eco-beams and columns and their most
sustainable manufacturing technologies, in addition to significant environmental
and cost benefits of the innovation.
This new product and technology approach would bring significant reduction in the
carbon footprint of construction within the EU and, eventually, worldwide, as the
proposed engineered timber became a viable and cost-effective substitute for
conventional strong construction materials that are high CO2 emitters during
manufacture.
The resulting new building materials would be strong, lower the CO2 emissions
intrinsic to construction, reduce massively the embodied energy in building
carcasses, create new opportunities for carbon capture and storage, minimize
thermal bridging through insulation layers and improve the possibilities for low-
impact recycling of waste materials arising following a building's eventual
demolition.

5. Specific objectives of the project
1) Utilization of small diameter and underutilized European grown timber
Many of the European forests have an abundance of small, tightly spaced trees
and underbrush. For a long time, this small diameter and un-merchantable
material has been left in the forest because either it is not economical to remove
or local capacity to process such material does not exist.
2) Development of bio-resins for timber
One of the main objectives for CELLUWOOD is to use new bio-resins to repair,
joint and strengthen sawn lumbers to produce strong building components for
construction.
3) Strong strengthened timber
CELLUWOOD products will be strong re-engineered timber products
strengthened by intimate bonding with reliably strong natural fibre composite
reinforcing laminations so that it becomes suitable for use as structural framing.
The framing is intended to support high-rise buildings safely and carry loads
imposed on wide spanning structures without excessive deflection or risk of shear
failure.

6. Results obtained
Utilization of small diameter and underutilized
European grown timber
Utilization of small diameter and underutilized European grown timber has
been investigated in detail. Processes and performance in use of small
diameter wood on European, national and regional levels from a practical
and technical point of view have been described.
The tree types under discussion for the project are sweet chestnut
(Castanea sativa), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), European larch
(Larix decidua Mill), spruce, Norway spruce (Picea abies), and Sitka
spruce (Picea sitchensis).
Additionally, preliminary processing for timber boarding is defined.

7. Bio-resin and timber reinforcements
Different adhesion systems based on raw materials from natural resources have
been studied for their suitability to be used in CELLUWOOD products. They
include:
– Systems of condensed tannin extracted from Quebracho Colorado
(Schinopsis Lorentzii) trees.
– Systems of condensed tannin from pine trees.
– Kraft Lignin from hardwood and softwood.
– CNSL (Cashew nut shell liquid).
These natural raw materials were tested for their ability to perform cold or hot
curing processes. The various adhesion systems were firstly evaluated with the
lap shear testing in accordance with relevant EN or ISO standards and then
applied to the timber boarding materials used in this project.
A resin based on lignin has been mainly chosen for its use in the project.
Results obtained

8. Two kinds of nanocellulose reinforced wood adhesives have been
fabricated: nanocellulose reinforced epoxy and nanocellulose reinforced
casein.
It has been found that both adhesives can be used in the room
temperature under a low pressure and display high performance. By
using the nanocellulose reinforced epoxy, the shear strength could be
increased by more than 40% when the addition of nanocellulose was 5%.
It has been found that the addition of nanocellulose can improve the
bonding performance. However the low water resistance and the shear
strain of the natural polymers adhesive is still under investigation.
The resins are applied to the defect repairing and lumber lamination.
Bio-resin and timber reinforcements
Results obtained

9. Nanocellulose gel fabricated by
Brunel University
Reinforcement of wood through the
application of lignin bio-resin in
defects such as knots
Results obtained
Bio-resin and timber reinforcements

10. Development of new Eco-beams and columns
The development of new beams and columns is based on modelling
results. The repaired and scarf jointed lumber is used to develop a
number of novel, low carbon, sustainable, viable, low cost beam and
column products with good environmental profiles. The overall objective is
delivered through a number of sub-objectives:
1) Design and assembly of lumber layers in accordance with the
modelling results and the grading of the repaired lumbers.
2) Development of new processes and technologies for
manufacturing beam and columns by using the new lumber
materials developed.
3) Interim assessment of the novel composites developed.
4) Optimization of the processes to ensure the development of strong
CELLUWOOD materials with efficient uses of raw materials and
other resources.
Results obtained

11. Initial problem of delamination at moderate
pressures
Results obtained
Development of new Eco-beams and columns

12. Laminated beam with the last modification of the bio-
resin. There is no delamination at high pressures
Results obtained
Development of new Eco-beams and columns

13. Laminated beam with the last modification of the bio-
resin. In spite the fracture point is reached at high
pressures, there is no delamination between layers
Results obtained
Development of new Eco-beams and columns

14. Impact Assessment and Life Cycle Analysis
(LCA)
Eco-efficiency describes how environmental friendly and economical a
product or process is. This efficiency aims to achieve a balance between
environmental and economic factors.
The analysis of the environmental term includes a life cycle assessment
of the new materials developed in the project, versus the traditional
glulam manufacturing process.
This LCA is being developed currently.
Results obtained

15. Thank you very
much for your
attention
Miguel Angel Abian