Biocides are currently used to protect wood from degradation but pose environmental and health risks. Seven polymers were evaluated based on their technical performance, environmental impact, and health risks. The results indicate that three polymers (B1, C2, and D1) have potential to enhance wood's resistance to fungal decay, but the effect is limited. None of the polymers sufficiently reduced wood's moisture uptake to prevent fungal growth on their own. Challenges were also observed regarding the polymers' diffusion into the wood and their long-term durability. The environmental and health assessment revealed that the tested polymers generally have lower toxicity and environmental impact compared to traditional biocides, though some polymers still pose risks, such as potential aquatic toxicity and bioaccumulation. The conclusion is that none of the tested polymers can substitute biocides in wood impregnation. Polymer B1, C2, and D1 show the most promising properties, but further research and process optimization are required to develop an effective and sustainable biocide-free solution. Future work should focus on improving chemical formulations, testing under real-world conditions, and conducting additional environmental and health assessments.
Wood modification as a path to phasing out biocides - Træmodifikation som vej til udfasning af biocider
The report explores the potential to replace biocides in wood impregnation with alternative polymer-based treatments using supercritical CO2 (scCO2) as the impregnation method.