InnovaWood/UNECE Seminar poster session. At the seminar in 2013 ‘Innovations in the forest-based sector: a prerequisite for the bioeconomy’ a CELLUWOOD poster was elected to be exhibited. Target groups: Industry, UNECE/FAO officials, Researchers, and Policy makers Author: Miguel Ángel Abián (AIDIMA) Póster sobre el proyecto europeo CELLUWOOD, cofinanciado por el programa europeo Eco-innovation, por el IVACE (Instituto Valenciano de Competitividad Empresarial) y por fondos FEDER. Se expuso en el seminario InnovaWood/UNECE de 2013 ‘Innovations in the forest-based sector: a prerequisite for the bioeconomy’. Grupos de interés: industria, oficiales de UNECE/FAO, investigadores y prescriptores de políticas. Autor: Miguel Ángel Abián (AIDIMA)

1. EU ‘CELLUWOOD’ PROJECT
Laminated Strong Eco-Material for Building Construction made
of Cellulose-Strengthened Wood
The CELLUWOOD project is developing laminated strong Eco-
Materials for building construction made of cellulose-strengthened
wood.
The specific objective of the project is to bring into existence a new
range of low carbon, reliably strong building construction materials
made of wood sourced from well managed and sustainable forests,
through:
• The introduction of the (new) technologies from other
sectors (e.g. cellulose velvet, bio-composite reinforcement and
bio-resin) for innovative uses in the defect removal and repairing,
and lamination of strong building materials
• Facilitating innovation in the use of nano/micro cellulose
and bio-resin technologies in timber re-engineering
• The development, testing and demonstration of the novel
initiative products.
The major output would be a new market for laminated wood in
construction: Eco-beams and columns and production technologies.
This would stimulate rural economies in all EU states and promote
the planting and good management of new woodland, with its
attendant environmental benefits. The clear result of this market’s
emergence would be a significant reduction in the carbon footprint
of construction within the EU and, eventually, world wide, as the
proposed engineered timber became a viable and cost-effective
substitute for conventional strong construction materials that are
high CO2 emitters during manufacture. A further beneficial result
of the new material’s emergence would be greatly reduced water
consumption in both the manufacturing and construction phases.
Structural Timber Boarding
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.
Bio- Resin and 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, and
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.
Eco-Beams and Eco-columns
The core materials for eco-beams and eco-columns are being proposed
at this stage of the project.
Alternative bio-adhesives
A nanocellulose gel has been developed in the project and is tested
with different adhesives to study their bonding properties. These
adhesives will be used for the production of the eco-beams and eco-
columns.
Photo 1: Glulam. The CELLUWOOD materials will be more ecological and will
have a better mechanical strength than glulam. Source: AIDIMA
Photo 2: Nanocellulose gel fabricated by Brunel University. Source: Brunel University
Project partners
www.celluwood.com
Miguel Ángel Abián (AIDIMA)