BACKGROUNDER
2008OTP0090-000546 April 17, 2008	Office of the Premier Ministry of Forests and Range
MARKET AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT FOR PINE BEETLE WOOD

Forestry Innovation Investment is directing over $1.2 million to research in 2008/09 to develop new markets and products from wood affected by the mountain pine beetle (MPB).

 

BC Wood Specialties Group - $104,500

·         Evaluate the stability of blue-stained MPB boards for production of flooring using a commercial wood hardening and colouring process (continuation of work done in 2007/08).

·         Evaluate the characteristics of finger-joint lumber from MPB-affected wood as well as glulam posts.

 

FPInnovations Canada (Forintek Division) - $196,959

·         Manufacture and testing of glulam beams made from treated laminating stock (continuation of work done in 2007/08).

·         Evaluate the use of low-pressure steam and cold water spray during the kiln drying of MPB-affected lumber.

·         Research into the development of value-added products from low quality MPB-affected wood.

 

FPInnovations Canada (Paprican Division) - $162,974

·         Mill trials of bleaching techniques for mechanical pulp manufactured from MPB-affected chips to increase brightness (continuation of work done in 2007/08).

·         Improving the strength properties of thermo-mechanical pulp from dry, grey-stage fibre.

 

University of British Columbia - $756,884

·         Development of cross-lamination technology for engineered wood products manufactured from MPB-affected fibre.

·         Researching a new cost-effective bleaching agent for mechanical pulps from MPB-affected chips.

·         Development of high performance wood composites through nano-technology (continuation of work done in 2007/08).

·         Testing of commercially available pre-treatments to prevent discolouration; primers to restrict water absorption; and opaque finishes on MPB-affected wood (continuation of work done in 2007/08).

·         Innovation in pre-heating technology for engineered lumber and panel products made from MPB-affected fibre.

-30-

Media contact:	Bridgitte Anderson Press Secretary Office of the Premier 604 307-7177	Sophia Proctor Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Forests and Range 250 387-4592
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.