Novel fibre value chains & ecosystem services from sustainable feedstocks |
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Newsletter #16 | June 2025 |
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Processing of Wood Fibres for Wood-Concrete Applications |
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Objective: To assess the feasibility of using wood from contaminated soils (Populus spp., willow, and black locust) for the production of wood-concrete blocks as an alternative to hemp. |
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Equipment, Materials and MethodologyWood cutting:
Logs were processed using a chip cutter powered by a 30 kW electric motor, producing wood chips oriented along the fibre direction (3–5 cm wide and 2–3 cm high). Grinding:
A knife grinder with interchangeable grids (5, 10, and 15 mm) sheared the chips between a blade and counter-blade, with a 3.4 mm gap. Classification and sieving: TMI Chip Class™: sorts wood chips by size (3, 7, 8, 14, and 45 mm) using back-and-forth movement. Retsch AS200: a vibratory sieve shaker used to determine particle size distribution.
Methodology:
The processing scheme includes cutting, grinding, classification, and selection of the most suitable particle fractions based on yield, density, and shape factor.
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Key Findings The 3–7 mm fraction, obtained using a 10 mm grid, showed the best yield (up to 70% with dry poplar). Dry wood produced more fine particles than green wood, leading to higher yields in the desired size range. Apparent density: Shape factor (measured with Keyence VHX-7000): Higher wood density may be a disadvantage for lightweight applications but could offer improved insulation.
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ConclusionsBark has a negligible impact on grinding, and green wood can be used for industrial processing. The 10 mm grinding + 3–7 mm sieving fraction will be prioritized in the next steps. Differences in density and shape compared to hemp require formulation adjustments for wood-concrete blocks.
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| Vicat is a French company founded nearly 170 years ago in the footsteps of Louis Vicat. Today, working in 12 countries, the Group lays out a top-class offering of mineral and bio-based construction materials, along with services that meet the needs of the construction trades. Wherever it has cement plants, aggregate quarries, concrete batching plants, and factories manufacturing finishing products for the building industry, Vicat strives to produce locally and in so doing develop employment and the local economy. For some years now, under its commitment to ecological transition, the Group has been reducing the carbon impact of all its businesses and putting the virtues of circular economy into practice. Still family-run, the company cultivates a relationship of confidence with customers, partners, and employees on a daily basis. |
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