Sustainable Utilization, Preservation, and Maintenance of Wood Materials

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Wood Science and Forest Products".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 July 2026 | Viewed by 1465

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Forest Products and Industry Department, National Institute of Forest Science, 57 Hoegi-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02455, Republic of Korea
Interests: ecology; forestry; mycology; wood enhancement; wood modification; wood preservation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Wood is increasingly seen as a vital sustainable material because of its low environmental impact, carbon storage capabilities, and versatile performance. As the demand for eco-friendly construction materials increases in response to climate change, developing high-performance wood products and long-term durability strategies is essential.

Advancements in non-biocidal wood protection, such as chemical modifications, densification treatments, hydrophobic treatments, and fire retardants, enhance wood’s resistance to decay and weathering. Concurrently, modeling approaches such as service-life prediction and sensor-based monitoring are transforming our understanding of timber structure performance. This Special Issue focuses on non-biocidal strategies for improving wood durability and modeling techniques for predicting and optimizing wood performance.

We welcome submissions related to wood modification, moisture control, structural health monitoring, non-destructive evaluation, and digital platforms for timber maintenance. By integrating material science and computational modeling, this Special Issue will provide new insights and practical tools for improving the long-term reliability and sustainability of timber structures.

Dr. Sun Lul Kwon
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • wood preservation
  • wood modification
  • durability
  • biodeterioration
  • eco-friendly preservatives
  • weathering resistance
  • structural health monitoring
  • non-destructive evaluation
  • predictive maintenance
  • digital twin

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

18 pages, 2938 KB  
Article
Sustainable Insulation Panels Made of Tree Bark Fibers: Thermal and Fire Performance
by Volha Mialeshka, Grzegorz Kowaluk and Zoltán Pásztory
Forests 2026, 17(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/f17010026 - 25 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1164
Abstract
The growing demand for sustainable solutions stimulates the building sector to develop environmentally friendly building materials. However, innovative natural-based options used in residential buildings must also comply with safety standards. This study examines the thermal and fire performance of insulation boards produced from [...] Read more.
The growing demand for sustainable solutions stimulates the building sector to develop environmentally friendly building materials. However, innovative natural-based options used in residential buildings must also comply with safety standards. This study examines the thermal and fire performance of insulation boards produced from tree bark fibers of two hardwood species, Tilia spp. (Lime) and Robinia pseudoacacia (Black Locust). The samples were fabricated using a wet process without adhesives and fire retardants, achieving thermal conductivity coefficient values of 0.055–0.057 W/m·K at densities ranging from 218 to 231 kg/m3. Density profiling revealed a characteristic vertical gradient associated with wet processing, while wettability measurements indicated hydrophobic surface behavior. Fire tests showed species-dependent behavior: Black Locust panels exhibited smaller damaged zones and lower maximum temperatures, whereas Lime panels showed deeper thermal degradation. No board ignition was observed, and smoke release remained moderate and consistent. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of bark-based insulation boards as sustainable alternatives in building applications. However, further optimization with larger sample sets and the integration of natural flame retardants is recommended to improve performance and safety. Full article
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