New technologies and alternative uses for poplar wood

Después de una breve introducción sobre la importancia del álamo tanto para el medio ambiente como para la industrial de la madera, se analizarán los usos más comunes de la madera de chopo, en particular la producción de chapas, que es el mas importante y rentable destino para la materia prima de mejor calidad, resultado del cultivo intensivo delchopo. La madera contrachapada puede ser considerado un producto "maduro" tanto en términos de desarrollo (niveles de eficacia, producciones como productividad) y de mercado (en este momento el chapeado, también sufre de la competencia de las nuevas clases de paneles). Desde un punto de vista técnico, las posibles innovaciones están relacionadas estrictamente con la capacidad de encontrar nuevos usos y productos, con un mayor valor añadido. En este marco, el sector de la construcción parece ofrecer nuevas posibilidades, gracias al interés renovado por la madera y productos derivados de la madera. Otro destino posible para la madera de chopo podría ser la producción de madera laminada encolada. En Italia se ralizó una investigación bastante completa sobre este tema, que incluyó la posibilidad del chopo mezclado con otra especie (en particular eucalipto y alerce). Se adjuntan detalles de los resultados obtenidos. En el sector de la construcción, más allá de la posibilidad de usar el contrachapado producido para este fin, la madera de chopo también podría ser una materia prima muy buena para la producción "de paneles tecnológicos" (LVL, OSB). Para concluir, la madera de chopo es seguramente conveniente también para el uso en otros sectores. La fiabilidad de productos (con propiedades mejoradas, si fuera necesario) y sus características ecológicas, juntos con la preparación de información técnica actualizada, son, en cualquier caso, algunos de los principales factores que pueden garantizar un aumento del empleo de madera de chopo en usos no tradicionales.________________________________After a brief introduction on the importance of poplar for both the environment and the woodindustry system, the current common uses of poplar wood are discussed, with particular reference to the production of plywood, which is by far the most important and remunerative destination for the best raw material resulting from intensive poplar cultivation. Plywood can be considered a “mature” product both in terms of development (efficiency levels, yields and productivity) and of market (at the moment plywood is also suffering from the competition of new kinds of panels). From a technical point of view, possible innovations are strictly related to the ability to find new uses and new products, possibly with value added figures. In this frame, the building sector seems to offer new possibilities, also thanks to the renewed interest for wood and wood-based products. Another possible destination for poplar wood could be the production of glue-laminated timber. A quite complete research was done in Italy on this subject, which included the possibility of mixing poplar with other species (in particular eucalypt and larch). Details are given on the results obtained. In the building sector, beyond the possibility of using purposely-produced plywood, Poplar wood could also be a very good raw-material for the production of “engineered panels” (LVL, OSB). In conclusion, poplar wood is surely suitable also for use in other sectors. The reliability of products (with improved properties, if necessary) and their ecological characteristics, together with the preparation of updated technical information, are, in any case, among the main factors that can guarantee an increase of the use of poplar wood in nontraditional applications

New technologies and alternative uses for poplar wood

After a brief introduction on the importance of poplar for both the environment and the woodindustry system, the current common uses of poplar wood are discussed, with particular reference to the production of plywood, which is by far the most important and remunerative destination for the best raw material resulting from intensive poplar cultivation. Plywood can be considered a ¿mature¿ product both in terms of development (efficiency levels, yields and productivity) and of market (at the moment plywood is also suffering from the competition of new kinds of panels). From a technical point of view, possible innovations are strictly related to the ability to find new uses and new products, possibly with value added figures. In this frame, the building sector seems to offer new possibilities, also thanks to the renewed interest for wood and wood-based products. Another possible destination for poplar wood could be the production of glue-laminated timber. A quite complete research was done in Italy on this subject, which included the possibility of mixing poplar with other species (in particular eucalypt and larch). Details are given on the results obtained. In the building sector, beyond the possibility of using purposely-produced plywood, Poplar wood could also be a very good raw-material for the production of ¿engineered panels¿ (LVL, OSB). In conclusion, poplar wood is surely suitable also for use in other sectors. The reliability of products (with improved properties, if necessary) and their ecological characteristics, together with the preparation of updated technical information, are, in any case, among the main factors that can guarantee an increase of the use of poplar wood in nontraditional applications