“The search for effective and environmentally friendly wood protection methods is an ongoing endeavour”
We spoke to Marcel Prieto Rodriguez, Managing Director at Lignocolor, about the wood coatings market and the latest trends in the sector. Interview by Bettina Hoffmann
What new developments in wood coatings are particularly worth mentioning?
Marcel Prieto Rodriguez: The search for effective and environmentally friendly wood protection methods is an ongoing endeavour. One of the oldest and most natural wood preservatives is linseed oil varnish. Despite its ability to preserve and beautify wood, linseed oil varnish offers no protection against blue stain, wood-destroying fungi and insect infestation. This leads us to an important realisation: wood preservation requires a combination of chemical and physical measures to effectively protect wood against a variety of threats. In science, there are fascinating but not clearly proven theories, such as felling just before the new moon, especially around Christmas or in March.
This concept, known as ‘moon wood’, is based on the assumption that wood felled at certain phases of the moon provides natural protection against pests and rot. Although this idea has found favour in practice, there is a lack of scientific evidence to fully support it. Another exciting advance in the field of wood preservation is the discovery that nanometal fluorides produced by sol-gel synthesis can reduce the degradation of pine sapwood by fungal attack. This finding opens new doors for the development of wood preservatives that are not only effective but could also be more environmentally friendly. There are also biological approaches to combating wood-destroying fungi. Research has shown that certain types of bacteria isolated from tree bark can have an antagonistic effect against these fungi. These bacteria have the potential to inhibit the growth of wood-destroying fungi or even prevent them from colonising the wood. Such biological wood preservatives offer a promising alternative to conventional chemical preparations.
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How do you assess the market for wood coatings? Where are the opportunities and risks?
Marcel Prieto Rodriguez: A remarkable development is emerging in the dynamic landscape of the European wood coatings markets: While the overall market is expected to grow by 1 to 1.5 per cent, the German market is facing a challenge. Forecasts suggest that the German market for wood coatings could experience a decline of 2.5 to 4 % in 2024. This development raises important questions and at the same time offers opportunities for market players. The market for wood coatings is in a highly competitive environment characterised by innovation and adaptability.
The industry is currently undergoing a profound transformation process, moving away from coatings rich in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) towards more environmentally friendly alternatives such as water-based coatings. Companies are also confronted with strict regulatory requirements. In particular, the European Union’s Green Deal, which aims to achieve a sustainable EU economy, sets ambitious targets that present the industry with additional difficulties. Despite these challenges, the change also offers enormous opportunities. Companies that manage to develop innovative and sustainable wood coatings can not only position themselves as market leaders, but also help to lead the industry towards a greener future.
The demand for sustainable products is a driving force that encourages innovation and incentivises companies to invest in research and development. The search for sustainability in business is often like a journey without a clear map. Although the concept of sustainability is on everyone’s lips, there is a lack of a standardised definition that provides companies with a clear path. This ambiguity presents companies with the challenge of developing their own interpretation of sustainability and designing strategies that take into account environmental, social and economic aspects.
Reading tip
This interview is part of the Expert Voice section in the European Coatings Journal, the full piece can be found in the June issue. Not yet a subscriber? You can become one here!
