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Advances in Eco-friendly Wood-Based Composites: Design, Manufacturing, Properties and Applications

Submission Deadline: 31 December 2023 (closed)

Guest Editors

Petar Antov, Professor, Doctor, University of Forestry, Bulgaria
Petar Antov is a Professor, PhD at the University of Forestry, based in Sofia, Bulgaria. His main research interests are in the field of wood technology, wood-based composites, biobased wood adhesives, formaldehyde emission, formaldehyde scavengers, eco-friendly wood-based composites, occupational safety, and health at work in wood industry enterprises, ergonomics and ergonomic design of furniture products. Dr. Antov has been involved in various national and international research and educational projects in the field of the wood industry, forestry, and education. He also acts as a reviewer in various world-renowned scientific journals in the field of wood science and technology. Dr. Antov has been a Guest Editor of several Special Issues in different scientific journals. Dr. Antov has been appointed as an Editorial Board member of several SCI journals, as well as a Programme Committee member of several national and international scientific conferences.

Jakub Kawalerczyk, Researcher, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poland
Dr. Jakub Kawalerczyk is a researcher and a University lecturer focused on the field of wood technology at Poznań University of Life Sciences based in Poland. His scientific interests include lignocellulosic composites manufacturing, adhesives modification, application of nanotechnology in wood sciences, the use of bio-based formaldehyde scavengers and structural wooden beam production. Dr. Jakub Kawalerczyk is the author of almost 40 peer-reviewed scientific articles, a book chapter, and numerous presentations at international conferences. He has been involved in many national projects related to the forestry and wood technology. Moreover, he also has experience being a guest editor of a special issue of a scientific journal and a reviewer in many prestigious journals.

Muhammad Adly Rahandi Lubis, Doctor, National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia
Dr. Lubis received his BSc in Forestry from IPB University (Bogor, Indonesia) in 2011 and integrated master/doctoral, PhD in wood science and technology from Kyungpook National University (Daegu, South Korea) in 2019. He has been a junior researcher in Research Center for Biomaterials, National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia since 2014. Dr. Lubis' research interest includes wood adhesives, wood adhesion, thermosetting resins, and polymer composites. He was awarded $ 12.000 as the winner of “The ASEAN-Republic of Korea for Excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)” from the South Korean Government, in 2021 for his outstanding international publications (37 articles), patents (7 documents), and license (1 products) with H-index Scopus of 12. In addition, He is the Best Researcher in Research Center for Biomaterials, National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia in 2021. He has been involved in $ 150.000 worth of research grants (8 projects) since 2020. He is Guest Editor and an active reviewer in several reputable journals.

Lee Seng Hua, Doctor, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
Dr. Lee earned his PhD in Wood Science and Technology at Faculty of Foretsry, Universiti Putra Malaysia. Following graduation, He continued his academic career as a post-doctoral researcher at Faculty of Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia for 3.5 years. He is currently employed as a research fellow at the Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products, Universiti Putra Malaysia. He served as reviewers for a number of reputable journals such as Cellulose, European Journal of Wood and Wood Products, Industrial Crops and Products, Construction and Building Materials etc. In 2021, he was awarded Publication Award by Forest research Institute Malaysia. In the same year, he was awarded Outstanding Reviewer 2021 by Journal of Renewable Materials (JRM). Dr. Lee is guest editor for several SCI journals. Dr. Lee is actively involved in various national and international researches in the field of the wood industry and forestry.

Summary

Traditional wood-based composites are manufactured with synthetic, formaldehyde-based adhesives, commonly made from unsustainable petroleum-derived constituents, such as urea, phenol, melamine, etc. Along with their numerous advantages, the application of these thermosetting adhesives is associated with certain problems, connected with the emission of hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including free formaldehyde emission from the finished wood-based panels, which is related to serious environmental problems and adverse human-health effects, including genotoxicity and cancer. The ongoing transition of the wood-based composite industry to low-carbon, circular bioeconomy, the increased public environmental awareness, and the new stringent legislation related to the emission of harmful VOCs, including formaldehyde, from wood-based composites, have posed challenges to academia and manufacturers, related to the development of sustainable, eco-friendly wood composites with enhanced properties, use of ultra-low formaldehyde emission and high-performance bio-based wood adhesives, addition of formaldehyde scavengers to conventional adhesive systems, optimization of the available lignocellulosic feedstocks, and use of alternative raw materials.

This Special Issue on “Advances in Eco-friendly Wood-Based Composites: Design, Manufacturing, Properties and Applications” is aimed at collecting high-quality original research and review articles on topics including (but not limited to) the latest approaches in the development of eco-friendly wood-based composites; novel bio-based wood adhesives; approaches to reduce formaldehyde emission from wood composites; binderless wood composites; wood plastic composites (WPC); advanced processes for recycling wood-based composites; thermal and chemical technologies for enhanced protection of wood and wood composites; application of nanomaterials to wood composites; valorization of bark for value-added chemicals and production of wood composites; non-wood lignocellulosic composites; advanced functionalities and application of wood-based composites.

We strongly encourage contributions from researchers and experts from all related fields in the form of original research works or review articles. 


Keywords

eco-friendly wood-based composites; biocomposites; biopolymer composites; bio-based wood adhesives; advanced formaldehyde-based wood adhesives; binderless wood composites; lignocellulosic composites; reinforced composite structures; wood plastic composites; formaldehyde emission; formaldehyde scavengers; wood modification; nanotechnology and nanomaterials in wood-based composites

Published Papers


  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Verification of Depth Adjustment Factor in Eurocode 5 for Tropical Hardwood Timbers

    Adnie Baharin, Muhammad Amirul Akmal Rosli, Norshariza Mohamad Bhkari, Lum Wei Chen, Anis Azmi, Muhammad Shaiful Nordin, Zakiah Ahmad
    Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.9, pp. 3533-3546, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.028675
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Eco-friendly Wood-Based Composites: Design, Manufacturing, Properties and Applications)
    Abstract The depth adjustment factor for bending strength stated in Eurocode 5 (EC5) is only applicable to timbers having a characteristic density below 700 kg/m3 . However, most Malaysian timbers are hardwood, some with a characteristic density reaching above 700 kg/m3 . Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine whether the depth adjustment factor stipulated in EC5 is valid for Malaysian hardwood timbers. Six timber species were selected for this study, namely Kapur (Dryobalanops C.F.Gaertn.), Kempas (Koompassia Maingay ex Benth.), Keruing (Dipterocarpus C.F.Gaertn.), Light red meranti (Shorea Roxb. ex C.F.Gaertn.), Geronggang (Cratoxylum Blume) and Balau (Shorea Roxb. ex C.F.Gaertn.).… More >

    Graphic Abstract

    Verification of Depth Adjustment Factor in Eurocode 5 for Tropical Hardwood Timbers

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Characterization of Formacell Lignin Derived from Black Liquor as a Potential Green Additive for Advanced Biocomposites

    Sri Hidayati, Eugenia Fonny Budiyanto, Hadi Saputra, Sutopo Hadi, Apri Heri Iswanto, Nissa Nurfajrin Solihat, Petar Antov, Lee Seng Hua, Widya Fatriasari, Mohd. Sapuan Salit
    Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.6, pp. 2865-2879, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.027579
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Eco-friendly Wood-Based Composites: Design, Manufacturing, Properties and Applications)
    Abstract Black liquor is obtained as a by-product of the pulping process, which is used to convert biomass into pulp by removing lignin, hemicelluloses and other extractives from wood to free cellulose fibers. Lignin represents a major constituent in black liquor, with quantities varying from 20% to 30%, of which a very low share is used for manufacturing value-added products, while the rest is mainly burned for energy purposes, thus underestimating its great potential as a raw material. Therefore, it is essential to establish new isolation and extraction methods to increase lignin valorization in the development of bio-based chemicals. The aim… More >

    Graphic Abstract

    Characterization of Formacell Lignin Derived from Black Liquor as a Potential Green Additive for Advanced Biocomposites

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Preparation and Characterization of Thermoplastic Starch from Sugar Palm (Arenga pinnata) by Extrusion Method

    Muhammad Ghozali, Yenny Meliana, Widya Fatriasari, Petar Antov, Mochamad Chalid
    Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.4, pp. 1963-1976, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.026060
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Eco-friendly Wood-Based Composites: Design, Manufacturing, Properties and Applications)
    Abstract Sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) starch is considered an important renewable, biodegradable, and eco-friendly polymer, which is derived from agricultural by-products and residues, with great potential for the development of biocomposite materials. This research was aimed at investigating the development of TPS biocomposites from A. pinnata palm starch using an extrusion process. Palm starch, glycerol, and stearic acid were extruded in a twin-screw extruder. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of TPS showed that the starch granules were damaged and gelatinized in the extrusion process. The density of TPS was 1.3695 g/mL, lower than that of palm starch, and the addition of… More >

    Graphic Abstract

    Preparation and Characterization of Thermoplastic Starch from Sugar Palm (<i>Arenga pinnata</i>) by Extrusion Method

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Current Status and Development Trends of Chinese Intelligent Furniture Industry

    Xianqing Xiong, Xinyi Yue, Zhihui Wu
    Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.3, pp. 1353-1366, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.023447
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Eco-friendly Wood-Based Composites: Design, Manufacturing, Properties and Applications)
    Abstract In this work, the current status, technical capabilities, and development trends of the Chinese intelligent furniture industry were in focus. Based on combining a literature review with field investigations and analysis of major scientific research projects in Zhejiang Province, China, an in-depth overview and discussion about previous experience, features, technologies, products and control methods in the intelligent furniture industry in China were conducted. The key technologies in current Chinese intelligent furniture industry include embedded systems, sensors, short-range wireless communication, artificial intelligence and intelligent interaction techniques. This work also mentions the challenges and opportunities for the industry, pointing out how to… More >

    Graphic Abstract

    Current Status and Development Trends of Chinese Intelligent Furniture Industry

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Development and Characterization of Eco-Friendly Non-Isocyanate Urethane Monomer from Jatropha curcas Oil for Wood Composite Applications

    Samsul Bhakri, Muhammad Ghozali, Edy Cahyono, Evi Triwulandari, Witta Kartika Restu, Nissa Nurfajrin Solihat, Apri Heri Iswanto, Petar Antov, Viktor Savov, Lee Seng Hua, Erika Ayu Agustiany, Lubos Kristak, Widya Fatriasari
    Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.1, pp. 41-59, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.023151
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Eco-friendly Wood-Based Composites: Design, Manufacturing, Properties and Applications)
    Abstract The aim of this research work was to evaluate the potential of using renewable natural feedstock, i.e., Jatropha curcas oil (JCO) for the synthesis of non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) resin for wood composite applications. Commercial polyurethane (PU) is synthesized through a polycondensation reaction between isocyanate and polyol. However, utilizing toxic and unsustainable isocyanates for obtaining PU could contribute to negative impacts on the environment and human health. Therefore, the development of PU from eco-friendly and sustainable resources without the isocyanate route is required. In this work, tetra-n-butyl ammonium bromide was used as the activator to open the epoxy ring with 3-Aminopropyltriethoxisylane… More >

    Graphic Abstract

    Development and Characterization of Eco-Friendly Non-Isocyanate Urethane Monomer from <i>Jatropha curcas</i> Oil for Wood Composite Applications

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Bending, Compression and Bonding Performance of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) Made from Malaysian Fast-Growing Timbers

    Norshariza Mohamad Bhkari, Lum Wei Chen, Anis Azmi, Muhammad Shaiful Nordin, Norman Wong Shew Yam, Zakiah Ahmad, Lee Seng Hua
    Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.11, pp. 2851-2869, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.022326
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Eco-friendly Wood-Based Composites: Design, Manufacturing, Properties and Applications)
    Abstract This study investigated the bending, compression as well as the bonding performance of CLT panels made from fast-growing timber species, i.e., Laran (Neolamarckia cadamba) and Batai (Paraserianthes falcataria). The variables studied were timber species (Laran and Batai), layers of lamination (3-layer and 5-layer), loading direction in bending (in-plane and out-of-plane), loading direction in compression (x-, y-, and z-axis) and different treatment conditions for bonding performance test. The desired outputs of this study were bending and compression properties (strength and stiffness) as well as bonding performance (block shear strength, wood failure percentage and delamination value). The bending and compression test were… More >

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