TRADA Technology has joined a BRE-led partnership researching home-grown timber for the Forestry Commission.
The project will conduct a study and make recommendations on the five most effective ways to add profitable value to home-grown timber use in construction which: maximise carbon sequestration; minimise the amount of embodied energy used; and provide optimum end of life use.
It will also undertake a study into the main timber species grown in the UK and identify how best they can be used to provide improved profitability for the sector, as well what further research is required to fully understand the properties of our main timber species.
Dr Ed Suttie, director of BRE Timber, said the work was essential to maintaining and growing a profitable vibrant forest products industry.
The Forestry Commission said the project would rebuild the links between the leading timber research providers.
Results will be published at the end of March 2011.
Wood processors, timber merchants and end users are invited to get involved in the project and can contact Dr Suttiee at suttiee@bre.co.uk.
