Wood Science and Technology

Wood Science and Technology

The mandate of the Wood Science and Technology Division is to develop appropriate technologies for the value-added commercial utilization of timber. On the project line, the Division has developed appropriate technologies and maintained the research facilities for primary and secondary processing (prophylactic treatment, permanent preservative treatment, drying and mechanical processing) of traditional and non-conventional (rubber wood, coconut wood, bamboo/reeds and cane) of timbers. Effective scientific interventions are made in the traditional rural bamboo and cane industry sector to impart technology for value addition and livelihood improvement.

The timber quality of fast-grown and home-garden teak has been assessed. Low lignin/high cellulose reed bamboos were identified in the wild population for propagating low lignin varieties of reeds for the pulp and paper industry, a step to save money spent on bleaching and to less pollute the environment.

Anatomical keys, data banks, and handbooks were published on the properties and uses of Kerala Timbers and Lesser-known and Imported Timbers. The well-managed Xylarium collections provide reference materials for researchers and timber enthusiasts to familiarise themselves with different timber varieties.

Wood Science and Technology Division has expertise in consultancy and outreach activities for improved, better and more efficient utilization of all wood, bamboo, rattan and other related lingo-cellulosic materials. The Division offers consultancy services for wood identification, testing, and reporting timber samples to the end-user community, such as wood-based industries, public sector undertakings, the Forest Department, and the Judiciary.