Conventional wood-based materials, such as fibreboard, chipboard, oriented strandboards, plywood and veneer laminated wood, as well as insulation materials with variations in pulping methods and wood species, are the starting point of various research projects. Resource-efficient use of wood and wood products requires a reduction in weight while simultaneously retaining application-specific material properties. The application potential of wood species with low density (e.g. Paulownia tomentosa) as well as the use of modified wood form core research focuses.

Hybrid composite materials, such as wood-polymer composites as a combination of thermoplastics (matrix) and wood chips/wood fibers, expand the research portfolio. Technical polymers and biopolymers are considered as matrix materials. The influence of particle and fibre geometry on short-term and long-term material behavior is a focus of various research projects.

To improve the quality of wood-based materials, even when used outdoors, various work focuses on optimizing conventional adhesive systems. One focus is the development of formaldehyde-free adhesive systems based on renewable raw materials. The quantification of mobile formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds in wood-based materials is an integral part of our research activities.

By treating wood-based materials with atmospheric pressure plasma, surface properties can be controlled as a result of specific interactions. Plasma-based hydrophilization or hydrophobization of the surface of the wood material influences the surface properties.

Following hydrothermal digestion processes, the recyclability of wood-based material is investigated. Alternative recycling options are evaluated and wastewater flows inherent to the processes are analysed.