Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

Canada is one of the countries with the richest forest resources. Wood products are natural, renewable andhighly welcomed by a variety of users. However, without proper treatment, wood products, particularly foroutdoor applications such as utility poles, railway ties and construction materials, are easily destroyed by highmoisture, insects, fungi and bacteria. In order to extend the lifespan of these wood products, a preservationtreatment is critical to protect the wood products from deterioration agents. The most commonly usedpreservation approach is a pressure treatment process, in which wood products are flooded by preservativechemicals, followed by a few pressure-vacuum cycles, forcing the chemicals to penetrate into the cellularstructure of the wood. These chemicals protect against weathering, insects, bacteria and fungi. Creosote andpentachlorophenol are excellent wood preservatives, once soaked into wood product, they form a barrierbetween the wood, the destroying organisms and insects, extending the lifespan of wood products. However,these types of preservatives have unpleasant odors causing both health and environmental concerns.This project aims to develop novel wood preserving formulations with odor suppression effects through addinginexpensive and bio-based additives. Bio-based odor suppressants will be synthesized, added to treatingsolutions and tested in pressure wood treating processes. The resulting new formulations would significantlyreduce odors in wood treating operations, but also benefit the end users of the wood products. Moreover, thewood treatment industries would save the capital investment needed for installing odorous gas scrubbers. Theanticipated outcomes of this research will have cascading layers of benefit to Canadian economy from themanufacturing of high quality wood products to making the way for a more sustainable and greener woodpreservation industry in Canada.