Giving an update on current and forecast developments related to wood engineering and modification, Dr Andrew Pitman of TRADA and The Wood Technology Society told the meeting that while modification processes could improve performance properties of some species, the costs meant the resulting products were competitive only in limited circumstances – usually higher value end uses such as cladding, joinery and construction.
In addition, he said, while modified softwoods may have the potential to substitute hardwoods, the modification technologies may even help transform maple, beech and ash to find new markets.
