The Fraunhofer WKI focuses on the development of novel processes, technologies, and materials from renewable resources such as wood and other natural cellulosic materials. We investigate, improve, and develop methods and technologies for wood- and natural-fiber based composite materials, develop adhesives and coatings based on renewable resources, develop new technologies for fire protection of combustible materials and products, study the effect of materials and products on indoor air quality, and develop measurement and quality control technologies and systems targeted to products based on renewable resources. Our research portfolio is constantly evolving, reflecting the state of the art in our field and the needs of the industries and society that we serve.

Examples of our research include:

• Innovative natural particle- and fiber-based materials
  
• Testing procedures and technologies for the reduction of VOC emissions from products ranging from particleboard and furniture to printers
  
• Development of environmentally friendly and durable coatings derived from renewable materials
  
• Application of state of the art sensor technologies and real-time analytical methods in the production and quality control of natural- and wood-based materials
  
• Recycling technologies for waste and residuals from processes using and containing natural fibrous materials
  
• Development of new coatings for fire protection of combustible structural elements
  
• Nondestructive evaluation of products ranging from plywood to wind power rotor blades
  
• Application of novel analytical methods for indoor air quality measurements, and
  
• Heat and mass transfer measurements on large scale building envelope segments

Our applied research activities rely on close collaboration with industry, and our capabilities, which include pilot-plant scale processing of natural fibrous materials, large climatic chambers, and state of the art laboratories position us as a leading institution that can address complex problems. The WKI is a member of a number of national and international consortia and plays a leading role in the InnovaWood Initiative that serves the forest and wood processing industries.