New technology to replace biocides and heavy metals in outdoor wood

A new Danish project will further develop a groundbreaking method to protect wood against degradation without the use of traditional biocides and heavy metals. With support from Innovation Fund Denmark, the technology will be brought closer to industrial application and contribute to a more sustainable construction industry.

Wood plays a central role in the green transition because the material is both renewable and stores CO₂. But especially for outdoor applications, durability is a crucial challenge. Today, large quantities of wood are treated with biocides and heavy metals, or tropical wood is used, which creates both environmental and climate challenges.

The HYPERLIGNO project will develop a new solution where wood is impregnated with lignin – a natural by-product from the paper industry. By incorporating lignin into the wood's structure, its resistance to moisture and biological degradation is improved, while also utilizing an existing side stream from the industry.

Research into wood's own chemistry opens new possibilities

- We take the wood's own chemistry as our starting point. Our research indicates that by adding lignin, we can make wood much more resistant while avoiding the challenges associated with traditional impregnation methods, says Emil Engelund Thybring, project leader and associate professor at the University of Copenhagen.

With an investment of DKK 15.5 million from Innovation Fund Denmark, the project can now take the next step from laboratory experiments to industrial-scale demonstration. The goal is to develop a solution that can be implemented in existing production facilities and thus quickly put into use in construction.

- The grant makes it possible to bring the technology from the research stage and closer to practical application and pave the way for industrial production. This is crucial if we are to create real alternatives to the solutions that dominate the market today, says Thomas Venås from Frøslev Træ A/S.

HYPERLIGNO brings together a broad partnership across research, industry and design. Together, the partners will develop, test and demonstrate the material in concrete applications such as facades, playgrounds and urban space solutions. The project will also document both technical performance, environmental impact and economic potential.

If the project is successful, it could contribute to reducing the use of biocides and heavy metals, increasing the use of local wood, and creating new value chains based on industrial waste products.

Facts about HYPERLIGNO

• Innovation Fund Denmark's investment: DKK 15.5 million.
• Total budget: DKK 21.5 million.
• Duration: 2026–2029
• Official title: Innovative, sustainable wood protection by hyperlignification

Partners: University of Copenhagen (IGN), Frøslev Træ A/S, Wood Treatment Technology, GXN/3XN, Monstrum ApS, Mercer Rosenthal GmbH, The Footprint Firm ApS, LignoSolve (spinout under establishment)