Harvested Wood Products (HWP) constitute an important carbon pool within the LULUCF (Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry) sector, contributing to carbon storage and climate change mitigation. This study quantifies annual changes in HWP carbon stocks in Greece for the period 2012–2024 using the IPCC Production Approach with Tier 2 country-specific activity data. Carbon stock changes were estimated for HWP in use and in solid waste disposal sites (SWDS) at prefecture, regional and national levels. Results indicate a gradual decline in net carbon sequestration, from −0.16 Gg CO 2 in 2012 to −0.099 Gg CO 2 in 2024, primarily associated with reduced domestic roundwood harvest and the predominance of short-lived wood products such as fuelwood. Spatial analysis revealed notable regional variability in carbon stock changes, with northern regions contributing more positively to national carbon storage. The findings highlight structural constraints of the Greek forestry sector and emphasise the importance of long-lived wood products, domestic wood production and improved recycling and waste management practices for enhancing carbon storage potential. The study contributes applied evidence for the implementation of IPCC HWP carbon accounting in Mediterranean forestry systems, where country-specific assessments remain relatively limited.
Phase change materials (PCMs) have great potential for thermal energy storage; however, their practical use is often limited by low thermal conductivity and the risk of leakage during phase transitions. This study aimed to develop a low-cost, form-stable composite PCM utilising biochar derived from the invasive weed Prosopis Juliflora as a sustainable support matrix to improve thermal performance and suppress leakage during phase-change processes. To create the composite PCM, Prosopis Juliflora biochar was incorporated into paraffin wax using a straightforward impregnation method. Leakage tests revealed that the optimal weight ratio of paraffin wax to biochar was 6:4, which demonstrated negligible leakage and good structural stability. The composite PCM was characterised using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). DSC analysis indicated a melting temperature of 66 °C, very close to that of pure paraffin wax (65.93 °C), suggesting that the addition of biochar had minimal impact on the phase transition temperature. The latent heat of fusion was 166.92 J/g. Furthermore, the addition of biochar increased thermal conductivity by 64% when 5 wt.-% was incorporated. Aluminium powders further increased it to 94%. The composite also exhibited improved thermal stability and delayed thermal degradation compared to pure paraffin wax. These findings confirm that Prosopis Juliflora biochar effectively serves as a support matrix for developing form-stable composite PCMs with enhanced thermal performance, providing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for thermal energy storage applications.
In recent years, bending-active gridshells with asymptotic geometry have been successfully constructed at the architectural scale. These have typically used materials such as steel and machined timber, with thin rectangular profiles and predictable characteristics. This paper investigates the use of locally sourced sweet chestnut ( Castanea sativa ) in a green untreated state for forming such shells, highlighting the benefits but also challenges that come when working with imperfections. Two demonstrator projects are described, both with identical geometries but differing scales: a proof-of-concept test structure formed from pseudosasa japonica bamboo, followed by a larger structure made from coppiced young sweet chestnut stems, each achieving differing levels of success. The accuracy and predictability of idealised digital models is discussed, alongside the physical reality of working with materials that possess inconsistent profiles, material properties and deviations from perfectly straight elements. In doing so, the potential of constructing imperfect asymptotic-like curved grid structures from untreated materials is investigated.
The aim of this research was determining the anatomical properties of Cordia africana and analysing how these properties relate to the wood's performance for pulp and paper making. Sample discs were collected from the six trees, from the bottom (10%), middle (50%), and top (90%) of the tree height. Similarly, 2 cm×2 cm×2 cm wood blocks were obtained from the 10%, 50%, and 90% radial positions (i.e., from pith to bark) of the discs’ radius. Anatomical properties were evaluated, and its variations along tree's height and across the radial distance from pith to the bark were analysed. The findings indicated the overall mean measurements obtained were 1.19 mm for fibre length, 2.62 µm for cell wall thickness (i.e., represents single cell wall thickness), 27.83 µm for fibre diameter, 19.41 µm for lumen diameter, 28.55 µm for fibre width, 0.27 for the Runkel ratio, 43.25 for the slenderness ratio, 59.44 for the flexibility coefficient, and 0.18 for the wall coverage ratio. Most of the anatomical properties of C. africana decreased from the bottom to the top of the tree, while increasing radially from the pith to the bark. In addition, the slenderness ratio showed that there is no significant variation along the tree height but increased from the pith to the bark. The study showed that the fibre characteristics of C. africana , indicating its potential as an alternative species for pulp and paper production, with notable variations in anatomical properties observed along the height of the tree and radially from the pith to the bark.
Hybrid bio-composites integrating renewable lignin and synthetic glass fibres have emerged as sustainable alternatives to traditional composites, addressing the environmental concerns associated with non-degradable synthetic materials. This study investigates the synergistic effects of lignin and glass fibres on the mechanical properties of glass fibre-reinforced polymer composites (GFRPs). Composite samples were fabricated with varying weight percentages of lignin (0%, 2%, 4%, and 6%) and glass fibres (1%, 2%, and 3%), adhering to ASTM standards for tensile, bending, and impact tests. The findings reveal that lignin significantly enhances the tensile and bending properties at optimal concentrations. However, excessive lignin (>4 wt%) reduces the composite's performance due to interface disruptions. Flexural strength exhibited a similar trend, with a peak at lower lignin concentrations. Numerical simulations using ABAQUS software showed good agreement with experimental results, validating the computational approach. The results of this study demonstrate that lignin can serve as an effective reinforcing agent in hybrid composites, improving mechanical properties while reducing environmental problems.
Existing ancient timber structures in China face wooden component decay and insect infestation issues; there is an urgent need for a large number of professional talents to adopt scientific methods for their protection. Currently, the training of professionals in historic building protection allots inadequate efforts toward developing their competencies in wood species identification and wood property analysis, leading to a notable misalignment between talent training and practical industry needs. Guided by constructivist learning theory, competency-based education theory, and situated learning theory, this study introduces curriculum teaching reform strategies encompassing the construction of curriculum knowledge, the advancement of teaching methods, and the development of practice platforms. Research results aim to address the misalignment between talent training and practical industry needs.
This paper examines the transformation of traditional serender structures in the Rize region of Turkiye from food storage facilities into multidimensional cultural assets within the contexts of gastronomy and tourism. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected through semistructured interviews with craftsmen, users, tourism stakeholders and local authorities. The findings reveal that serenders have evolved beyond their original function and now represent a complex socio-cultural element associated with cultural heritage, craftsmanship, local economy and tourism. The study highlights the importance of preserving both the physical structures and the associated traditional knowledge for sustainable cultural heritage management.
This study investigates the buckling resistance of submerged timber piles, emphasising sensitivity to pile length, material stiffness and geometric imperfections. An integrated methodology combining ultrasonic non-destructive testing, non-linear finite element modelling (FEM) and classical Euler-Bernoulli theory was employed to evaluate pile stability. Results indicate that pile slenderness predominantly governs buckling capacity, with critical loads decreasing by up to 74% as pile length increases from 5.65 m to 10.25 m. Lateral displacement exhibits a non-linear S-shaped response, reflecting the transition from axial shortening to bending-dominated deformation - a behaviour not captured by classical theory due to its neglect of anisotropy, imperfections and soil-pile interactions. Geometric imperfections substantially reduce effective buckling loads, with FEM revealing lateral displacement amplifications of up to 20%. Incorporating anisotropic material properties and soil-pile interactions in FEM produced buckling load predictions similar to 5% lower than classical theory, enhancing accuracy. These findings underscore the importance of imperfection-sensitive, geometry- and material-informed models for reliable assessment of submerged timber pile stability, supporting structural health monitoring and sustainable conservation of aquatic timber infrastructure.
Paulownia wood (PW) is a potential raw material for the production of densified products, such as pellets, provided that its influence on their physical and mechanical properties is well understood. This study evaluated the effects of PW proportion and densification temperature on pellet density, compression ratio (CR), spring-back (SB), diametrical compression strength (DCS), and extraction load, using Abies borisii-regis wood (AW) as a reference material. A full-factorial experimental design was employed with five PW:AW mixtures (0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and 100:0) and three densification temperatures (90 degrees C, 120 degrees C, and 150 degrees C). PW proportion had a stronger effect on pellet density than temperature, with density increasing progressively as PW content increased. At the highest tested densification temperature (150 degrees C), a higher PW proportion is needed to maintain high density. Pellet CR increased consistently with PW proportion across all temperatures, while temperature was the most significant factor for the pellets' mechanical strength. PW proportion also had a significant, but much smaller effect, while the interaction of temperature and PW proportion was also significant. The use of PW may increase energy demand during densification. At lower temperatures, a higher force is required to overcome die-wall friction, whereas higher temperatures reduce this resistance and improve process efficiency. Furthermore, spring-back decreased with increasing PW proportion, while temperature had no significant effect, and both factors acted largely independently. Overall, the enhanced compressibility, increased density, and reduced spring-back highlight the potential of PW for use in pellets or other densified products, although further validation under standardised conditions and industrial-scale processing is recommended.
Although research since 1980 has provided insight into the steam explosion process to exploit wood as a self-adhesive furnish in boards, a deeper understanding of the relationships between process parameters and the resulting self-bonding mechanisms remains essential. This review analyses the influence of non-catalysed SE pre-treatment on the performance of lignocellulosic materials used for the manufacture of binderless particleboards. The study focuses on three key operational parameters - initial moisture content, particle size, and severity factor - and their combined effect on the physical, mechanical, and environmental performance of the resulting boards. The analysis integrates findings from recent studies that employ SE as a green pre-treatment to promote lignin plasticisation, hemicellulose solubilisation, and lignin-polysaccharide cross-linking, thereby enhancing internal bond (IB) strength, modulus of rupture (MOR), and dimensional stability without the use of synthetic adhesives. Particular attention is also given to process-related emissions, including volatile organic compound emissions and carbon dioxide (CO2), as well as to the rinsing of steam-exploded substrates as a factor influencing fibre chemistry and environmental performance. Overall, this review provides an updated synthesis of experimental evidence from 1980 to 2025 and identifies optimal pre-treatment conditions - such as moderate severity (log R-0 = 3.5-4.0) and intermediate particle size (<2 mm) - that enhance fibre cohesion and board quality. The work highlights promising research avenues for developing fully lignocellulosic, adhesive-free materials as sustainable alternatives in the wood-based panel industry.
Anatomical features grouped by wood density class provide important insights into structure-property relationships relevant to wood utilization. Despite existing studies, an in-depth anatomical characterization of hardwood species grouped by density class remains limited. This study aimed to address this gap by investigating the relationship between wood density class and anatomical features of 24 tropical hardwood species from Indonesia. The species were classified into five density class, and their anatomical features were quantified using transverse sections (X) and macerations (M). Parameters including cell-wall thickness (CWT), lumen diameter (LD), fiber diameter (FD), vessel diameter (VD), fiber length (FL), and vessel length (VL), were determined. Several tissue-level and cell-level anatomical traits showed statistically significant but weak individual correlations with wood density, indicating that no single anatomical parameter alone controls density variation. One way ANOVA revealed no clear separation of anatomical features among density class, highlighting the multivariate nature of density control. In conclusion, the density class of tropical hardwood species is influenced by the interplay of various anatomical characteristics at both tissue and cellular levels, highlighting that wood density class cannot be attributed to a singular anatomical factor but necessitates a comprehensive anatomical approach.
The socio-economic development of a global economy affects all economic sectors, including forest-based industries. Forest-based industries have undergone key changes in recent years, largely because of new policies and strategies in environmental and ecological economics, global challenges, innovations and technologies, new markets and new natural conditions due to climate change. Globalization significantly influences the shift from traditional renewable resource use to newer, greener and more efficient technologies. The main aim of the study is to evaluate the impacts of globalization on wood utilization represented by timber trade. Although the results were obtained at the national level, for the Slovakian wood industry and export activity, the methodology and approach used can serve as a model for various national economies. The research applies the KOF Globalization Index to analyze the impact of globalization on the development of foreign trade and the conditions of the timber market. The relationship between the KOF Globalization Index and timber trade is identified by the econometric models. To reveal the interconnection between the foreign timber trade and the development of the KOF Globalization Index, the linear regression models are applied for inference and prediction. The study results indicated that globalization has a stronger impact on exports than on imports of industrial roundwood. The model explains the behaviour of roundwood exports at an average of 76% and in the case of imports, this rate decreases to 66%. Overall, this can be viewed as a negative impact on the domestic economy, as roundwood timber is considered an intermediate product, and could be consumed and processed in domestic conditions before being exported as a higher-value wood product. Moreover, the results confirmed significant differences between the coniferous and non-coniferous industrial roundwood markets. The investigations indicate that in the case of exports, lower-quality assortments of non-coniferous industrial roundwood are exported from Slovakia. On the other hand, more valuable assortments are exported in the case of coniferous industrial roundwood.
This study investigates the potential of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy combined with chemometric modelling to predict mechanical properties of thermally modified Pinus elliottii wood. Specimens were subjected to three thermal treatments (160 degrees C, 200 degrees C and 240 degrees C) and analysed using second-derivative Fourier-transform infrared spectra. Principal component analysis revealed clear spectral separation among treatments, while partial least squares regression partial least squares regression was employed to model bending modulus, bending strength, and hardness (radial and tangential). In addition to regression modelling, spectral-mechanical relationships were examined through Pearson correlation analysis across all wavenumbers, enabling the identification of highly predictive spectral regions and their correspondence with structural wood compounds. Fourier-transform infrared spectra captured consistent chemical changes, especially in regions associated with cellulose (similar to 1030 cm(-1)), lignin (similar to 1230 cm(-1)) and hemicelluloses (similar to 1730 cm(-1)). Partial least squares regression models exhibited high predictive accuracy for bending modulus (R-2 = 0.93; RPD = 2.18) and tangential hardness (R-2 = 0.91; RPD = 2.05), indicating excellent robustness. In contrast, bending strength and radial hardness presented lower performance (R-2 = 0.81 and 0.74, respectively), attributed to greater mechanical variability and weaker spectral contrast. Therefore, this study demonstrates that Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, supported by chemometric tools such as variable importance in projection scoring and spectral correlation, enables fast, non-destructive and accurate prediction of wood mechanical behaviour of thermally modified pine woods. This approach represents a viable strategy for sustainable quality assessment of engineered wood products.
This study presents a comprehensive analysis of T & uuml;rkiye's scholarly contributions to mass timber research by examining both bibliometric patterns and experimental studies. A PRISMA-guided screening process was applied to identify 50 studies published between 2015 and 2025, and SciMAT software was used to map thematic structures and detect conceptual shifts over two periods (2015-2020 and 2021-2025). The thematic evolution analysis shows a transition from material-centred research themes such as bonding performance, the mechanical behaviour of GLT and CLT, and durability to performance-based and system-oriented concepts including seismic behaviour, hybrid strengthening, and structural applications. The evaluation of 38 experimental studies highlights a growing emphasis on adhesives, shear performance, beam behaviour, and CLT-GLT structural systems, reflecting T & uuml;rkiye's increasing interest in engineered wood products in the post-earthquake context. These findings provide new insights into the intellectual development of timber research in T & uuml;rkiye and support the journal's focus on engineered wood technologies and performance-based applications.
Chinese export trade of forest products has been growing steadily, but it is facing a more competitive environment in the international market. This study evaluates the international competitiveness of China's forest products from 2011 to 2023 with the help of international market share (IMS), trade competitiveness (TC), revealed comparative advantage (RCA) and price elasticity of supply (PES), and examines factors influencing the international competitiveness of forest products based on the diamond model. The conclusion shows that the number of forestry employees has a significant positive effect on IMS and RCA, while it has a significant negative effect on PES; The proportion of forestry secondary industry in forestry output value has a significant positive effect on IMS, TC and RCA; Forestry R&D internal expenditure has a significant positive effect on IMS and RCA; Forest cover rate has s significant positive effect on IMS; Forestry fixed investment completion has a significant positive effect on PES; The policy of commercial logging ban on natural forests has a positive effect on the international competitiveness of China's forest products, but it is not significant. Further research indicates that the policy of commercial logging ban has produced a significant positive effect on provinces that implemented it early.
