PlasmaWood was a government-funded research project aimed at promoting sustainability through wood preservation using low-pressure plasma.
PlasmaWood Research Project
The PlasmaWood research project was funded by the BMBF (Federal Ministry of Education and Research—now BMFTR) as part of the “KMU-innovativ: Resource and Energy Efficiency” funding program. The central focus of the project was the sustainable treatment of wooden facades using low-pressure plasma to make them more weather-resistant and durable.
Project Management by Jörg Eisenlohr
Under the leadership of Jörg Eisenlohr (Managing Director of plasma technology GmbH), the research project was carried out from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2024. Approximately €700,000 was allocated to the government funding program “Tapping the Potential of Wood as a Renewable, CO2-Neutral Building Material.”
Low-Pressure Plasma Technology as a Key Factor
Low-pressure plasma technology has led to the development of an environmentally friendly process designed for the sustainable production of weather-resistant wood facades. Wood is one of the oldest building materials in human history, but it is rarely used in modern construction. The main reason is its lack of resistance to external influences, as well as the need for regular and costly surface treatment, which is why plaster facades (87%) are the preferred choice.
PlasmaWood aimed to create new process solutions to make wooden facades higher quality, more weather-resistant, and thus more cost-effective. Plasma coatings, in particular, are known for making material surfaces more dirt- and water-repellent or for preventing rust formation. In this research project, (low-pressure) plasma technology was applied to wood for the first time to investigate whether new potential for sustainable residential and commercial construction could be unlocked.
Testing Procedure Using a Plasma System
In the first step, small standard samples were examined and tested on a laboratory scale. The initial findings were positive. Coatings applied using low-pressure plasma improved both adhesion and stability on the wood samples.
In the next step, a pilot plant was developed and set up to test the positive plasma effects on larger wood samples. Furthermore, research was conducted to determine whether fungal decomposition could be prevented, and additional additives (biocidal additives) for pest control were tested
Successful Wood Preservation Treatment
The test results were positive. Targeted plasma treatments for wood facade elements made them more robust and weather-resistant.
The key benefits include:
- More weather-resistant and durable wood facades
- Lower maintenance costs for outdoor wood surfaces
- Energy savings compared to conventional facade designs
- CO₂-storing wood as a new alternative to common building materials
- More options for future prefabricated wood buildings in the construction industry
The Future with PlasmaWood
Based on successful research findings, plasma-treated wood elements are suitable as sustainable building materials. However, further fine-tuning and optimization are still needed to make PlasmaWood more economically viable and cost-effective.
Plasma treatments are therefore beneficial for many wood elements when it comes to durability and sustainability. To apply them cost-effectively in industry, similar to green hydrogen, further improvements are still needed.
We at plasma technology GmbH continue to conduct research on this topic to establish wood as a climate-friendly, resource-conserving, and economical element in the construction industry.