WOODPROTEX
Wood protection using latex-based formulations
Context
Wood, as a renewable bio‑based material, is increasingly employed in applications where precise control over dimensional stability and degradation over time is critical, in order to guarantee that its performance characteristics and lifespan meet the stringent demands of built structures.
Objectives
This project proposes combining wood with another bio‑based material—latex—in order to reduce the dimensional instability of wood by limiting its interactions with water, and to immobilize a bioactive compound to prevent fungal attack. This combination is expected to yield a more stable ‘wood‑polymer’ with increased plasticity, whose mechanical properties and aesthetic appearance remain unchanged over time.
Expected results
The aim is to develop a process that can be transferred to other bio‑based materials whose dimensional stability and/or durability also represent critical technical challenges.
Target markets
- Building
- Furniture
Components involved
- UR 114 BioWooEB
- UMR 1010 LCA
- UMR 1208 IATE