Abstract

Natural durability is one of the most rated features in wood end-use applications. In fact, several precious native tropical wood species produce timber of high natural durability, which is also related to long service life even for the highest hazard classes. However, selective logging is driving the existing volume of this group of species to near extinction. The remainder of the alternative species produces perishable timbers, which require synthetic chemical protection to prolong their service life but with detrimental effects on humans and the environment. Therefore, transferable durability has emerged as an alternative to gradually substitute traditional wood preservatives. From this approach, extractives from naturally durable wood species are removed and transferred to the non-durable wood species as an alternative environmental-friendly option for wood protection. Indeed, extractives from durable wood species have proven to have a deterrent effect on fungi, bacteria and termites and could be used to protect perishable wood species. Thus, this review aims to assess the prospects of developing environmentally friendly wood preservatives based on extractives sourced from highly natural, durable wood species to treat and add value to the group of perishable timbers. A step-wise analysis offers insights and challenges on (i) potential sources of extractives; (ii) effective extraction methods; (iii) extractive-based preservative formulation; and (iv) effective treatment methods for better preservative fixation for better wood protection. Accounts about the way forward for the development of extractive-based wood preservatives are also presented.

Keywords

extractives; natural wood durability; transferable durability; wood preservatives

Published in

Holzforschung
2023, Volume: 77, number: 10, pages: 753-761
Publisher: WALTER DE GRUYTER GMBH

SLU Authors

• Jebrane, Mohamed

  • Department of Forest Biomaterials and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Associated SLU-program

SLU Plant Protection Network


Sustainable Development Goals

SDG15 Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss


UKÄ Subject classification

Wood Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/hf-2023-0049

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/126370