Furfurylated wood

The furfuryl alcohol used is obtained through the hydrogenation of furfural[2] from biological agriwaste residues, such as husks and bagasse.

[5] The furfurylation of wood is a process that first initiated and explored by Alfred J. Stamm in the 1950s in the United States, but widespread adoption in the market has been limited so far.

[7] In 1997, Wood Polymer Technologies ASA in Norway was founded in an attempt to build a pilot plant for a single stage production process.

[9] The properties of the modified wood strongly depend on the amount and concentration of furfuryl alcohol introduced.

At a loading level of 30–35%, the hardness, weight, mechanical properties, dimensional stability, and resistance to insects, fungi, and chemicals increase to the extent that the product is classified in durability class 1.

[12][failed verification] Due to the process, the wood darkens significantly, especially at high levels of furfuryl alcohol.

At a loading level of 50%, high resistance to maritime ship borers, such as shipworms (Teredo navalis), is achieved.