Tree bark as a renewable source of wood protection materials for building applications

More than 23 million tons of bark are available in the EU-27 as residue from debarking operations by the forest industries. Inspired by the natural protective function of bark in the living trees, the BarkBuild project aims to develop new bark-based formulations for wood building materials to improve protection against microorganisms, insects, and fire. Additionally, we will develop new polymer composites reinforced by processed bark and equipped with a VOC-adsorbing coating for improved indoor air quality. We will demonstrate the technical performance, safety, and sustainability in wood impregnation, coating, and polymer composites for outdoor and indoor use. The BarkBuild project also tackles the societal challenge of climate change by developing new, long-lasting wood building materials with lower environmental impact and more favorable carbon footprint compared to existing commercial products.