Next generation wood-based materials: from ideas, to research, to resource-efficient products

The starting point for any innovation could be either a technology push or an existing market pull. For successful innovations a technological invention has to obtain approval by the marketplace, by technological institutions and also by society. Three criteria need to be met: (1) technological applicability, (2) economic profitability, and (3) social acceptability. The key technology model is seen as an efficient and effective way to achieve innovative results through research and development. An example on innovative industry-drive product development is given, addressing also resource efficient use of biomass. Materials using natural fibers include particle boards, fiberboards, oriented strand boards, a number of engineered wood products, and more recently polymers filled / reinforced with wood and other natural fibers. The latter are known but not limited to WPC (wood-plastic/polymer-composites). Many of these materials have fully developed industrial processes, such as the classical wood-based composite technologies, then injection molding, profile extrusion, pultrusion, or compression molding of non-woven mats. While virgin materials, i.e. wood, experience increasing prices and therefore reduced availability, a vast amount of cellulose-based waste materials have currently low-value usage. Multi-coated paper products, as used for e.g. milk and beverage packages, or other laminated waste paper fractions, need to be separately collected due to higher polymer contents. It is shown that products can be developed with these waste resources, with wood particles added, using advanced extrusion technology.