Total wood demand is shown by FAO to increase 49 percent between 2020 and 2050, regardless of deteriorating conditions such as deforestation and degradation due to fire and biological damages. Demand for wood as a building material is also projected by UNEP to increase significantly to 300 Gt in 2040. To address this situation, extension of the service life and re-use of wood are expected to make the most of the characteristics of wood. Common building and civil engineering timber species such as Japanese cedar, Scots pine, and Douglas fir are resources that should be utilised also in the future. These species classified as around moderately durable have shown that natural durability varies widely among clones, sites and within tree trunks in much research. The selection and utilisation of highly durable clones or individuals within these timber species could contribute to extending the service life of building and civil engineering facilities. In this report, we would like to advance the discussion on measures to utilise this selected timber with higher durability, where and how it is used including maintenance and complementing treated timber, and how to contribute circular economy.

Download document (499 kb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document