Material-efficient lightweight materials made from hardwood through wood-species combination and fiber reinforcement

MatLeicht – Project start / April 01, 2021

What will we use to make lightweight wood-based materials when there is no longer any spruce? In collaboration with the University of Göttingen, we are developing high-performance lightweight materials from hardwood for the construction industry. These could also be used in furniture, vehicles or transport packaging. Through our efforts, we are contributing towards the efficient utilization of semi-natural mixed forests. The wood-based materials industry can benefit from the sustainable raw-material security and new marketing opportunities.

Last modified: April 01, 2021

The photo shows a stack of sawn-off birch logs. — © Fraunhofer WKI | Manuela Lingnau
At the Fraunhofer WKI, lightweight wood-based materials are to be produced from hardwood (here: birch).

We are investigating whether lightweight hardwoods such as alder, lime and birch are suitable for the production of plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), particle board and wood-fiber insulation materials. Furthermore, we are testing the suitability of spruce wood as well as beech and robinia wood for use in surface layers. In order to increase the strength of lightweight plywood and OSB, we are investigating the potential of natural-fiber and basalt fabrics. Furthermore, we are developing a process in which plywood and OSB are simultaneously bonded and modified using special phenolic resin mixtures.

In all steps, our focus is directed towards the most comprehensive utilization possible of the wood that accumulates in the forest. In addition to the high-value target trees, lower-value assortments resulting from thinning should also be utilized. Furthermore, we are striving to achieve efficient whole-tree utilization. By-products accruing from primary manufacturing processes are used to produce other wood-based materials.

In Germany and other European countries, wood-based materials and insulation materials have been produced predominantly from softwood up until now. Softwood stocks are severely affected by climate change. As a result of rising temperatures, longer dry periods, strong storms and the increasing spread of pests, many trees are dying - particularly in spruce monocultures.

In order to reduce the risk of large-scale forest damage in the future, politicians and forest owners are increasingly focusing on semi-natural mixed forests. With their species diversity, they are more adaptable to climatic changes and provide an important contribution towards the protection of biodiversity. As a result, less softwood will be available in the future. Simultaneously, there is an increasing demand for high-performance building materials made from wood, as these enable resource-saving and climate-friendly construction. It is therefore necessary to make the increasingly available hardwood – as well as the damaged wood of all tree species – more usable for the production of materials.

Economic advantages

Hardwood, which has predominantly served as fuel up until now, is becoming a valuable raw material and could therefore achieve higher prices.

The broadening of the raw-material base creates planning security for wood-based material manufacturers. Furthermore, the new types of wood-based products open up new possibilities for use in lightweight construction, for example in structural engineering, furniture and vehicle manufacturing, and transport packaging. The manufacture of these special products opens up new business markets, particularly for small and medium-sized companies.

Project partners

University of Göttingen (project coordination)

Funding

Official project title:
Materialeffiziente Herstellung von Produkten aus leichtem Laubholz; Teilvorhaben 2: Optimierung von Holzwerkstoffen aus leichten Laubhölzern durch Holzartenkombination und Faserverstärkung

(Material-efficient manufacture of products from lightweight hardwood; Subproject 2: Optimization of wood-based materials from lightweight hardwood through wood-species combination and fiber reinforcement)

Funding body: German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL)

Funding reference: 2220NR011B

Project management: Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e. V. (FNR)

Duration: 1.4.2021 to 31.3.2024

(German Agency for Renewable Resources)

Research project

Material-efficient lightweight materials made from hardwood through wood-species combination and fiber reinforcement

Economic advantages

Project partners

Funding

Contact Press / Media

Peter Meinlschmidt

Material-efficient lightweight materials made from hardwood through wood-species combination and fiber reinforcement

Social relevance

Economic advantages

Project partners

Funding