Environmental protection and wood preservation
Over time, unprotected wood undergoes natural decay caused by micro-organisms – mainly fungi. In order to increase the durability of wood, protective measures are used to extend its service life. However, such agents (e.g. creosote oil) have a certain toxicity and may pose a risk to the environment. It is therefore necessary to develop new technologies to remove such substances from used wood and the soil/water environment. Environmental biotechnology, which utilises the metabolic potential of micro-organisms specialising in biodegradation, comes to the rescue in this respect. Environmental protection is also a preventive measure to minimise the negative impact of products, technologies and processes on the planet. Using life cycle assessment (LCA) or carbon footprint, we are able to select solutions with the lowest possible environmental impact.
While caring for the environment, we must also be mindful of the quality of the air we breathe. Emissions of volatile organic compounds (including formaldehyde) from furniture can affect our health. This is why it is important to manufacture products that emit minimal amounts of harmful chemicals into the air. Protecting wood also means increasing the fire resistance of building products and flooring based on this raw material. Developing solutions to achieve a high class reaction to fire requires experience and the selection of appropriate technological solutions and protective measures.
In this field we deal with:
developing solutions to protect and improve the environment;
carrying out analyses of the environmental impact of a product or technology, carbon footprint calculations and life cycle analyses (LCA);research into the disposal of hazardous waste without endangering people or the environment;
studies on wood waste from the wood, furniture and construction industries and the assessment of options for its management, with particular emphasis on recycling;research into the biodegradation of hazardous substances in water and soil matrices, bioremediation of soils and environmental remediation;
research on increasing the durability of wood and wood-based materials in contact with biotic agents – fungi and moulds;
research on environmentally friendly wood preservatives with effective action and low environmental toxicity;
research on increasing the durability of wood and wood-based materials in contact with fire and other abiotic agents;
evaluation and classification of wood-based panels and furniture with regard to formaldehyde emissions, taking into account the requirements of European countries and the USA (CARB and EPA certification tests);
indoor air quality testing for emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and aldehydes from building materials, wood-based plastics and furniture, taking into account the emission requirements applicable in European countries;
cooperation with wood plastic manufacturers on procedures for controlling emissions of harmful organic compounds from products placed on the domestic and foreign market.
We offer:
tests on the effectiveness of wood preservatives in contact with decay fungi (white decay, brown decay, grey decay) and mould fungi, tests on the corrosive aggressiveness of wood preservatives;
determination of penetration and retention of creosote oil in saturated wood (e.g. in railway sleepers);
determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in creosote oil and protected wood (including post-consumer wood), determination of pentachlorophenol (PCP) and lindane in wood and wood-based panels;
determination of the quality of wood impregnation (e.g. cross-sectional saturation, amount of protective agent in the wood);
evaluation of wood fungus (mycological evaluation using a microscope);
testing the flammability of construction products and floors (reaction-to-fire tests for classes B-F);classification of products with regard to reaction to fire on the basis of tests carried out;
Flammability tests on mattresses, upholstery materials and furniture and upholstery systems;
studies on physicochemical properties of amine and phenolic adhesive resins, determination of free formaldehyde content in amine polycondensates;
studies on formaldehyde emission from wood-based panels and furniture using the chamber method (in small- and large-scale chambers);
tests for VOC emissions from building materials and equipment using the chamber method.
As part of our activities, we also offer accredited tests performed under PCA accreditation: AB 053 – flammability tests, indoor air quality tests and tests for the preservation and protection of wood and wood-based materials.
