Many industries produce residues that are not easily degradable. One of these is nut husks which, due to their high level of resistance to biological and environmental degradation, have become an ecological problem. Maderón® is a material invented and patented in Spain employed as an ecological substitute and a modern alternative to certain uses of wood. At present, Maderón® is commercialized in the funeral sector in the production of ecological coffins. As Europe clears 1,000,000 trees per year for coffin production, the use of this alternative material would prevent the felling of a not insignificant number of trees; especially if the end purpose is burial or cremation. A further ecological benefit offered by Maderón® is the use of waste in its composition, reducing the environmental impact that elimination of this residue would generate. As far as new research on this material is available new applications seem to be possible, especially in the building sector and in carpentry. For this reason, in this work has been studied the durability of Maderón® against fungi and insects usually responsible of wood decay. Its natural durability has been studied in comparison with that of susceptible wood species, applying the European Standards currently in force. European standard EN-113 was applied for testing against brown- and white rot fungi, with Pinus sylvestris and Fagus sylvatica as the reference woods. The methodology described in EN-117 was followed to assess the natural durability against termites (Reticulitermes grassei), while EN-46 was used to determine the preventative action against the house longhorn beetle Hylotrupes bajulus, with Scots pine being the susceptible reference wood in both cases. The results show that Maderón® is durable against the attack from all the wood decay organisms studied and according to this result is possible to conclude that this material can be used as an alternative to wood furnishings in some industrial sectors. In addition, the use of Maderón would contribute to the recycling of agricultural waste products by giving them a new added value.

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