BRE Timber has been commissioned to work on five projects aimed at boosting opportunities and profitability in the UK timber processing industry.
The Forestry Commission and Scottish Enterprise have asked BRE to undertake the projects, which are focused on manufacturing innovative, engineered wood products and adding value to UK-grown timber.
BRE said the studies could create economic and environmental benefits by developing use of thinnings and small dimension round timber.
The work includes two linked projects investigating whether engineered products can be made from Scots pine falling boards and how machine strength grade settings for the species can be raised above C24. A higher setting would allow material to enter glulam or possibly trussed rafter production.
A third project will see BRE develop its own technique for optimising small diameter hardwood stems by re-engineering them into “inside out” beams. The process involves a “star” sawing method to cut stems into quarters before bonding them inside out.
BRE will also develop UK-grown timber for industrial applications, including piles and bridges, as well as produce a manual on adding value to British timber.
Dr Peter Bonfield, managing director of BRE’s construction division, said: “With only the US, China and Japan being bigger net importers of forest products than the UK in 2004, we need to make better use of home-grown timber, while at the same time recognising the importance of the sustainability of UK forests.”
The competitive environment for the proposed end products will be closely examined, with project results expected to be released in 2007.
