Research is under way to ascertain whether a method developed in New Zealand for densifying timber can be applied to UK-grown sitka and pines to improve their mechanical and machining properties.

Partners in the two-year £70,000 research project, which is being carried out by BRE, include the Forestry Commission, Indurite plc – the UK-based company formerly called NuWood that distributes densified New Zealand pine – and BSW. There are hopes more partners may come on board.

It is predicted that the amount of fast-grown low density timber in the UK will escalate over the next 20 years and there is a need to maximise its potential.

&#8220Indications are that as climate change progresses, more timber grown in the UK, particularly sitka spruce, will be of low density. Any process which can improve the quality is worthy of investigation. ”

Chris Holland , Building Research Establishment.

New Zealand has added density to radiata pine through cellulose impregnation and the BRE will investigate whether the method can succeed on home-grown timber, with emphasis on it making it suitable for the £5.2bn a year UK furniture industry.

Chris Holland of BRE said: “Indications are that as climate change progresses, more timber grown here, particularly sitka spruce, will be of low density. Any process which can improve the quality is worthy of investigation as UK forests are set to produce increasing volumes over the next 20 years.”