RefoRe

Recycling for Reuse – Evaluation and processing of waste wood for reintroduction into the cycle as part of a reutilisation concept.

The aim of the research project is to develop a method for processing waste wood beams so that they can be reused as far as possible as structural components made of solid wood. Large-format wooden beams from roof trusses, wooden beam ceilings and prefabricated building elements are particularly suitable for this purpose. Of the approx. 8 million tonnes of waste wood produced annually in Germany, 2.4 million tonnes of waste wood could theoretically be used.

 

Contrary to the current practice of burning approx. 80% of waste wood for energy production, the sustainable and resource-efficient utilisation of wood and thus its multiple use should take centre stage. In this so-called "cascade utilisation", the carbon stored in the wood remains stored in wood products for as long as possible beyond the tree's lifetime, until the wood material that can no longer be sensibly used is burned to generate energy and the bound CO2 is released again. In addition to reducing the thermal utilisation of fresh wood, the reuse of waste wood could help the weakened German forests to recover and meet the increasing demand for wood.

Until now, reutilisation has been made difficult by harmful substances from wood preservatives, surface protection, coatings or fire-retardant additives. Therefore, waste wood from the dismantling of buildings must be processed in such a way that it is harmless to health. All metallic foreign bodies must also be removed for further processing in the timber industry. The influences of the previous component life on the mechanical properties of the wood must be analysed and the existing classification rules must be checked for their suitability and adapted if necessary.

The project is organised as follows:

  • Chemical-physical analysis of the contaminated waste wood and development of a new analysis method
  • Development of methods for the mechanical removal of metallic foreign bodies and layers of contamination
  • Evaluation and classification of the mechanical properties of the waste wood

A digital strategy for the realisation of a waste wood cycle is being developed in order to take into account the economic efficiency of reuse in the project. The focus is on the quantitative and qualitative recording of the volume of waste wood, a decentralised logistics concept, the integration of waste wood into construction planning processes and the development of sensible reuse concepts.

The project from 01.01.2024 to 31.12.2026 is sponsored by the Fachagentur für Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V. (FNR).

Partner:

If you have any questions about the project, please contact  Peer Janßen.