Wood protection technologies provide tools to enhance the durability of bio-based materials for green building. Both wood and related bio-based material are regarded as eminent for green building. It allows to underpin several of the United Nations sustainable development goals and is regarded critical for the Green Deal objectives of the EU. Nevertheless, to enhance the potential it needs to be better understood in respect of fit-for-purpose based solutions to control both resistance against fire and fungal decay. Increased service life both related to fungal decay and fire safety should allow to reinvent some innovative building products, today often referred to as Engineered Wood Products (EWP), with as prominent example CLT (Cross Laminated Timber). A range of factors determine the many enhanced durability options to come to a fit-for-purpose strategy on performance. The material resistance remains a key factor while the restricted use of biocides induces the need to look for alternative options. Moisture dynamics is an important factor for material resistance in the construction sector, with a main focus on interior and exterior out of ground contact applications. Besides biological decay risk there is often also a fire safety aspect that needs to be addressed. Classification of different conditions related to mechanical performance, biological hazard and fire safety are not similar but need all to be evaluated in relation to the EU Construction Products Regulation (CPR). Especially for green building, there are many opportunities in the field of Engineered Wood Products and new treatments for enhanced performance, which are often denominated as wood modifications. Putting this in perspective of the bio-economy and a fit-for-purpose strategy, a SWOT analysis allows to focus on the many opportunities for enhanced durability of bio-based building products.

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