Your search resulted in 33 documents. Displaying 25 entries per page.
Molecular Methods: a Reliable Tool for the Identification of Wood Decay Fungi in Construction Timber
2008 - IRG/WP 08-20386
In the present study, we tested the practical value of several DNA-based methods to identify at the species level the most common wood-decaying fungi infecting buildings. We successfully extracted and amplified fungal DNA from pure cultures of twelve species of wood-inhabiting fungi, from oak and pine wood infected in laboratory with known strains, and from unknown field samples of wood collected ...
M Maître, M Kutnik, I Le Bayon, L Harvengt
Termite legislation in France: Termite control measures and prevention rules in building construction
2010 - IRG/WP 10-20448
Reticulitermes subterranean termites are considered as urban pests in France because they are harmful for wood-based in the South and the southwestern quarter of the country. Since November 2006 new protective measures of building construction have been introduced by the French parliament which must be applied across the country and in overseas territories to prevent termite infestations. All new ...
M Kutnik, M Jequel, I Paulmier, D Ansard
Development of microbiological test methods for the wooden packaging of foodstuffs
2010 - IRG/WP 10-20453
Whereas different sampling methods already exist for analysing contaminated surfaces or packaging made of plastic or paper, there is no methodology that enables the sampling and quantification of microorganisms in packaging made of wood. The objective of this study was to compare the most commonly used microbiological methods and to develop a reliable quality control test adapted to wooden packagi...
I Le Bayon, H Callot, M Kutnik, C Denis, A-M Revol-Junelles, J-B Millière, M Giraud, M Gabillé, N Passédat
Performances of Douglas fir in real outdoor use conditions
2011 - IRG/WP 11-20472
The European standard EN 350-2 classifies Douglas fir as moderately resistant to fungal decay on the basis of standardized laboratory and field tests. However, the lifespan expectancy of outdoor structures such as cladding, decking and elements of wood construction carpentry may also vary according to environmental conditions (climate, exposure to weathering), maintenance and design. An investigat...
M Kutnik, S Lepetit, S Le Nevé
The potential of silicone-based formulations to enhance wood properties through industrial treatment for outdoor use
2011 - IRG/WP 11-30578
High hygroscopicity is one of the main weaknesses of wood as far as its susceptibility to biodegradation, and specifically to fungal decay. New wood preservation technologies are constantly entering the wood protection market, competing with traditional, biocide-based preservation. Silicones are commercially used as hydrophobic agents on stones and concrete. They belong to the restricted number of...
F Simon, F Marchal, F Pochon, M Kutnik, I Le Bayon
Evaluation of an optimized industrial process aiming to improve the natural durability and mechanical behavior of bamboo for outdoor use
2011 - IRG/WP 11-40554
Mao Bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) is characterized by high contents of sugar and starch and by high hygroscopicity, which makes it susceptible to biodegradation, and specifically to fungal decay. Still, many bamboo based products regularly enter the European wood construction market, competing with traditional solid wood products used for outdoor decking and cladding. The performance of a heat ...
F Simon, M Kutnik, I Le Bayon, G Moisset, V Gatimel
Optimization of the bi-oleothermal treatment process for wood preservation and fireproofing
2011 - IRG/WP 11-40566
The bi-oleothermal© process (combination of oil and heat treatment) is a well mastered alternative method for wood protection. However, the fire behavior and resistance to decay of bi-oleothermally treated wood are not good enough to ensure performance which meets the service standards for outdoor applications such as cladding or decking expected by the market. The aim of the present research pro...
F Simon, M Kutnik, M Goyer, M-F Thévenon, C Alfos, M Céron
Laboratory evaluation of the natural durability and treatability of Cryptomeria japonica grown in La Reunion Island
2012 - IRG/WP 12-10772
The Japanese cedar Cryptomeria japonica is the main resource for timber construction in La Reunion Island, an overseas territory belonging to France. The natural durability of C. japonica originating from East-Asia has been considered so far as quite poor and the European standard EN 350-2 classifies this species ‘not durable’ with regard to its resistance to termites, xylophageous beetles and...
M Kutnik, J Vuillemin, I Paulmier, I Le Bayon, S Legay, E Raphalen, M Jequel, N Farnier, T Glandut
High-throughput sequencing highlighted contrasted pioneer fungal communities associated to coniferous and deciduous wood preservation assays
2013 - IRG/WP 13-10800
Studying the fungal communities in the wood, in particular during the first events of the colonization, and the factors that underlie the dynamics of fungal species assemblages remain a challenge in ecology, because of the absence of fructification during the pioneer steps of wood degradation. The use of Next-generation DNA sequencing methods, which produce massive volumes of data, provided new pe...
Y Mathieu, A Dassé, I Le Bayon, M Kutnik, L Harvengt, E Gelhaye, M Buée
Focus on the European standardization - Towards a revision of the EN 350 natural durability standard: a different approach to the inherent resistance and performance of wood and wood-based materials
2013 - IRG 13-10811
The European standard EN 350 “Natural durability of solid wood”, Parts 1 and 2, is one of the fundamental standards developed by the CEN/TC 38 “Durability of wood and wood-based products”. This standard is widely used by wood industries as the reference document which provides information on the resistance of wood species used in mainly the construction sector against decay fungi, wood-bor...
M Kutnik
Performance classification of wood in construction – drafting a user friendly European standard
2014 - IRG/WP 14-20545
The performance classification for wood products in construction is an extremely important topic in Europe and beyond – warranty providers and end users demand service life and performance information in the face of competition with other materials. The European project PerformWOOD has formalised and drawn together the on-going research to focus on generation of a material resistance factor for ...
E Suttie, C Brischke, L Meyer, J Van Acker, M Kutnik, E Heisel, F Englund, J Jermer, S Thelandersson, M Polášek, D Lorenzo
Moisture dynamics of wood and wood-based products – Results from an inter-laboratory test
2014 - IRG/WP 14-20539
In the frame of the European research project PerformWOOD in close liaison with the CEN task group TG EN 350 of CEN TC 38 WG 21 in total six research institutes teamed up and initiated an inter-lab trial (Round Robin) to investigate the suitability of different test methods to determine the wetting ability of wood. The moisture performance of wood and wood-based products has been recognized as key...
C Brischke, L Meyer, C Hesse, J Van Acker, I De Windt, J Van den Bulcke, E Conti, M Humar, H Viitanen, M Kutnik, L Malassenet
Functional silicones used as a potential tool for the development of non-biocidal wood treatments
2015 - IRG/WP 15-30665
The increase of wood resistance against biological agents for outdoor use is conventionally performed by deep impregnation with preservatives. However, some of the traditional wood preservatives, used for decades for wood protection and regarded as the most effective, are currently subjected to severe restrictions because of their toxicity. In fact, new preservation technologies are constantly ent...
F Lhumeau, C Delaite, F Marchal, F Pochon, M Kutnik
Termite and insect resistance of acetylated wood
2015 - IRG/WP 15-40703
The benefits from acetylation of wood to enhance resistance against fungal decay and dimensional stability have been known for many years. Since 2007 Accsys Technologies has been commercially producing Accoya® wood that is based on acetylation of radiata pine. A number of studies on the resistance of acetylated wood to attack by wood destroying termites have been conducted, but there is no common...
F Bongers, M Kutnik, I Paulmier, J Alexander, H Militz
Global survey on durability variation – on the effect of the reference species
2016 - IRG/WP 16-20573
Climate change due to anthropogenic emissions is the largest environmental challenge of our time. Forest-based value chains play an important role in reducing the accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere. Maximizing the use of wood to tackle climate change requires improved understanding of the service life of timber products. This information can best be obtained from field testing and while there i...
R Stirling, G Alfredsen, C Brischke, I De Windt, L P Francis, E Frühwald Hansson, M Humar, J Jermer, M Klamer, M Kutnik, P Laks, I Le Bayon, S Metsä-Kortelainen, L Meyer-Veltrup, P I Morris, J Norton, T Singh, J Van Acker, J Van den Bulcke, T M Venås, H Viitanen, A H H Wong
Transfer of microorganisms from wooden crates to foodstuffs: assessment of a transfer threshold
2016 - IRG/WP 16-20574
Wood is commonly used in contact with foodstuffs, for example for packaging fruits or vegetables. Most common species used are beech, pine, spruce and poplar. Wood is often considered as being less safe than plastic because it is less easy to clean whereas several studies have demonstrated that microorganisms cannot survive easily on wood (Milling et al., 2005; Revol-Junelles et al., 2005). Nation...
M Montibus, R Ismail, I Le Bayon, A Jasick, M Gabille, F Aviat, V Michel, M Federighi, M Kutnik
Assessment of the biological durability of wood treated with organosilicon compounds
2016 - IRG/WP 16-30685
The European wood construction market is in need of environmentally friendly wood-based products whose service life meets the expectations of end users. Non-biocidal silicon-based water repellents, which can be applied to different materials, help minimize their vulnerability/susceptibility to liquid water. Consequently, they have the potential of increasing wood’s resistance against decay fungi...
M Kutnik, M Montibus, S Derocker, S Salivati, J-P Lecomte
Novel wood treatments improve resistance to the wood-boring marine isopod Limnoria quadripunctata
2017 - IRG/WP 17-10899
The marine isopod Limnoria quadripunctata degrades wooden structures in the sea and causes significant economic damage. Broad-spectrum biocides and naturally resistant tropical hardwoods have failed to prevent feeding by Limnoria and have caused ecological damage. Wood modification is now the favoured method, and resin-based modifications have been effective, while the efficacy of silica-based mod...
H Bowen, M Montibus, M Kutnik, S M Cragg
Ensuring Quality of Treated Wood – Regulations, Certifications and Associative Background in the Field of Wood Protection in Europe
2017 - IRG/WP 17-20626
Beside legal requirements, buyers and end-users of wood preservatives and/or of treated wood and wood-based materials may require additional warranties regarding the quality and the performance of the products available on the market. These greatly enhance the confidence of end-users and the chance for a product of being marketed with a quality label. Additionally, quality control systems and trai...
M Kutnik, M Klamer, E Melcher
Guidance on the European Biocidal Products Regulation Concerning Efficacy of Wood Preservatives
2017 - IRG/WP 17-20627
In Europe wood preservatives belong to Product Type 8 (PT8) of the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR, EU n. 528/2012), which regulates the authorisation of biocidal active substances and products in the European market.
The applicant, who aims to obtain authorization to place a product onto the European market, needs to submit data to substantiate the label claims for the intended uses. Label cla...
I Stephan, M Kutnik, E Conti, M Klamer, L Nunes, J Van Acker, R Plarre
Organosilicon-based impregnation hydrophobers for wood
2017 - IRG/WP 17-40808
The SILEX project “Improving sustainability of construction materials using innovative Silicon based treatment” is a Life+ project with reference LIFE+11 ENV/BE/1046 and started in April 2013. This project intends to demonstrate that a new class of compounds can be used for wood treatment for an extended service life combined with enhanced new testing methodology. The project aims at demonstra...
J-P Lecomte, J Van Acker, J Van den Bulcke, M Kutnik, M Montibus, S Salvati, S Derocker
Functional silicones used for wood protection: preliminary study
2017 - IRG/WP 17-30720
Due to worldwide regulation the wood preservation domain is constantly changing. Silicones are used for different industrial applications as hydrophobic agents. This property could enable to reduce water uptake of wood treated with these compounds. Treated wood could then be less prone to dimensional variation and fungal attack, those parameters being driven by variations in wood’s moisture cont...
C Reynaud, F Marchal, F Pochon, M Kutnik
UV-curable coatings developed for aesthetic and biological protection of wood outdoors
2017 - IRG/WP 17-40821
To avoid wood greying, dimensional variations, and degradation by biological agents wood is protected with preservation products and coatings when used outdoors. For some wood species used for cladding, a treatment with a preservation product is required, and is frequently additionally protected with a coating. In this study, Mäder Group developed a new UV-curable coating for outdoors application...
C Reynaud, A S Schuller, M Kutnik, L Podgorski
Evaluation of the Virulence of the Termite Species Occurring in the French Tropical Overseas Territories
2018 - IRG/WP 18-10913
The French tropical overseas territories are strongly affected by termites’ activity, which is especially devastating because the species encountered there are among the most virulent in the world. That is why in these regions it is particularly important that producers and users of wood-based products are provided with materials and preservative products whose durability and efficacy has been t...
M Kutnik, I Paulmier, J Vuillemin
The Impact of Cryopreservation Techniques and of Water Quality on the Wood Degrading Ability of Fungal Strains: Recommendations for Maintenance and Culturing Procedures
2018 - IRG/WP 18-20636
In order to establish an optimal cryopreservation method, strains of Basidiomycete and Ascomycete fungi, which are among the most frequently used for wood durability testing, were evaluated using three cryopreservation procedures at -80°C. The main objective was to prevent decrease of the fungal virulence that may occur due to repeated routine sub-culturing procedures and to optimize the reactiva...
A Stum, M Montibus, I le Bayon, M Kutnik