IRG Documents Database and Compendium


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Application of suberin fatty acids extracted from birch bark for wood coating
2021 - IRG/WP 21-40914
It is well known that chemical modifications to improve decay resistance also reduce the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of wood. The mechanism of this action, however, has been the subject of much debate. Several groups have suggested that decay resistance is a result of lower diffusion rates of fungal degradation agents through the wood cell wall. A recent paper explained the fundamental prin...
A Kumar, Risto Korpinen, Veikko Möttönen


Tree bark as a renewable source of wood protection materials for building applications (BarkBuild)
2023 - IRG/WP 23-30792
The BarkBuild project aims to address climate change mitigation by developing new, sustainable, and long-lasting wood building materials with low environmental impact. The project focuses on developing bark-based wood protection and building formulations that demonstrate technical performance, safety, and sustainability in both outdoor and indoor applications. The research objectives of the projec...
A Treu, M Sipponen


Gleditsia triacanthos tannins for wood coatings
2023 - IRG/WP 23-40995
When used outdoors or in high humidity interiors, wood highly is susceptible to decay by biotic and abiotic agents. Applying coating systems that contain compounds able to control decay is a way to increase the useful life of the wood. Gleditsia triachantos is regarded as a plague in many countries due to its resistance to extreme environmental conditions and its displacement of native forests. In...
C M Ibañez, E Fernandez


Suberinic acid from birch bark and its suitability in wood protection
2024 - IRG/WP 24-20708
This study investigated the effect of different concentrations of suberinic acid (SA) on the growth of two fungi species. Initial radial growth tests showed a slightly slower growth rate for brown rot, whereas white rot exhibited faster growth than the untreated reference. In contrast, a commercial wood preservative significantly reduced the radial growth of both fungi species. Evidence of cell wa...
A Treu, M Altgen, J Rizikovs


Phytosanitary treatment of roundwood for oversea shipping - on the suitability of dry heat treatment as alternative to climate-change effective fumigation
2024 - IRG/WP 24-50394
The transcontinental trade of roundwood requires thorough phytosanitary treatment to protect native flora and fauna against foreign pests. This is generally done by fumigating shipping containers packed with roundwood with sulfuryl fluoride, a potent greenhouse gas. After treatment, the gas is released into the atmosphere, causing massive emissions. Since 2017, the usage of sulfuryl fluoride in th...
G Weber, L Schrader, J Trautner


Are we barking up the right tree? - the use of bark residues in wood protection
2025 - IRG/WP 25-20742
Tree bark, a lignocellulosic side-stream, is typically underutilised, often combusted or landfilled, thus contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. This communication paper explores the potential of bark residues, particularly suberinic acid, tannins and other polyphenols, in wood protection applications, including coatings, adhesives, and fire retardants. Several European projects have been initi...
A Treu, M Altgen, M Sipponen, M Borrega


Evaluation of oak bark extracts as bio-based preservative agents in wood protection
2025 - IRG/WP 25-30833
Bark represents a major by-product of the forestry sector and is often referred to low value uses such as combustion for energy, soil mulching or animal bedding. Nevertheless, bark contains a wide array of bioactive constituents, offering considerable potential for transformation into value-added wood protection agents. Developing sustainable wood treatments based on these natural compounds aligns...
R Herrera, A Selmanovic, F Poohphajai, C Peña, A Sandak


ProFume® pre-shipment treatments of round wood against infestations with bark-breeding beetles - technical improvements
2025 - IRG/WP 25-41017
Since 2018, climate change and temperature shifts associated with this, increased the occurrence of bark-beetle induced calamity wood. Consequently, the significant Ips typographus outbreak in German spruce forests prompted harvesting, thus temporarily increasing timber market supply. This situation made Germany a key player in Europe’s log exports to China. In order to prevent the further sprea...
S Kümmritz, G M Kroos


Valorisation of bark extractives for wood and plant protection: the Extrabark project
2025 - IRG/WP 25-50415
The Extrabark project is an Interreg collaborative project between Lorraine in France, Wallonia in Belgium, the Saarland in Germany and Luxembourg. The objectives of the project are to develop a complete value chain of valorisation of bark generated by wood industry via the utilization of extracts or molecules for the protection of plants and wood material as a bio-sourced alternative to petrochem...
P Gérardin, C Gérardin-Charbonnier, S Dumarçay, F Obounou Akong, E Fredon, R Martha, J V Dorini Falavinha, W Donck, Z Nys, A Lepretre, L Taguimjeu, M-L Fauconnier, J Renaut, K Sergeant, S Saker, E Strilin, J Tchoumtchoua, M C Detroz, G Beauchamp


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