Dr. Rene Herrera, Faksawat Poohphajai, dr. Anna Sandak, and dr. Oihana Gordobil from InnoRenew CoE, recently published a scientific paper »Simultaneous Improvement of Surface Wettability and UV Resistance of Wood with Lignin-Based Treatments,« in Polymers.

Recent advancements in wood modification aim to enhance the inherent qualities of this versatile biological material, which includes renewability, ease of processing, and thermal insulation. This study focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of lignin as a protective agent for less durable wood species. Results showed that the treatments significantly improve the hydrophobicity of wood surfaces, particularly in pine wood, and provide protection against UV ageing.