Biotechnology in the wood industry

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2004 Feb;63(5):477-94. doi: 10.1007/s00253-003-1411-7. Epub 2003 Aug 21.

Abstract

Wood is a natural, biodegradable and renewable raw material, used in construction and as a feedstock in the paper and wood product industries and in fuel production. Traditionally, biotechnology found little attention in the wood product industries, apart from in paper manufacture. Now, due to growing environmental concern and increasing scientific knowledge, legal restrictions to conventional processes have altered the situation. Biotechnological approaches in the area of wood protection aim at enhancing the treatability of wood with preservatives and replacing chemicals with biological control agents. The substitution of conventional chemical glues in the manufacturing of board materials is achieved through the application of fungal cultures and isolated fungal enzymes. Moreover, biotechnology plays an important role in the waste remediation of preservative-treated waste wood.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adhesives / metabolism
  • Biotechnology / methods*
  • Fungi / enzymology*
  • Fungi / metabolism*
  • Lignin / metabolism
  • Preservation, Biological / methods
  • Refuse Disposal / methods
  • Wood*

Substances

  • Adhesives
  • Lignin