The use of wood and wood products is sometimes limited by insufficient resistance to destructive and/or discolouring organisms. Wood is exposed to an abundance of biotic and abiotic stresses (e.g. weathering), especially outdoors. In order to take the multitude of hazardous situations into account, the durability of wood and wood products is tested using a range of different laboratory and field methods:

• Biological tests to prove the durability against wood-destroying and wood-staining fungi
• Artificial weathering
• Field tests (service classes 3 and 4)

A preventive measure to protect wood from various biotic and abiotic influences is the application of coatings and wood preservative systems through high pressure impregnation processes. Within the research activities of the Wood Biology and Wood Products Department, biocide-containing and biocide-free wood protection strategies are developed in order to extend the usability of wood products outdoors.