The TEEWood project allowed SWS to specify parameters for the upscale process of Sonowood (TM), Bijouwood (TM) and Budowood (TM) with regard to the multi-step process including chemical modification, climatisation and hygrothermal densification. With the respective wooden products obtained from the optimised production, SWS was able to enter the markets of larger stringed musical instruments, guitars, jewellery, watches, cameras, further high-precision lifestyle applications as well as sports equipment. The exploration of new fields is ongoing, with partners in the construction sector, and the hospitality sector.
The TEEWood project had impacts in various aspects. Cultural heritage-wise, it provides the traditional instrument manufacturing with a competitive material, which is free from any legal restrictions. Similarly, it provides a greatly increased customer value since it facilitates the proof of legality for manufacturers and individual musicians and other end customers.
By expanding the product range to new or existing applications for the domestic wood species (which were not feasible for these woods, owed to their inferior performance), the local (European) wood-based industries can be supported, by enabling additional use of their raw material. Together with wood-processing companies, novel projects and products with beneficial impacts are projected. Economically, new jobs could be created, and existing ones saved or differentiated by helping solve the raw material scarcity or providing a completely new wood-based material such as the Sonowood. Environmentally, the development of Sonowood is projected to help save tropical forests and botanical biodiversity, to enhance sustainable forestry and to counteract secondary consequences such as global climate change.
Furthermore, the TEEWood project will enable domestic European wood species to enter application fields, which were not feasible yet owed to inferior mechanical and physical properties of these wood species in comparison to the noble tropical wood species. By technologically enhancing the European wood species, a substantial progress beyond the current state of the art for these wood species is expected.
In terms of progress beyond the state of the art, the application of the innovative technology to wooden veneers (Sensoveneer (TM)) enables the substitution of plastic products from everyday life in various industries such as the mobility (car interiors) and card payment (and non-payment) sector (chip cards, e.g. credit cards, access cards).
Overall, our solid wood material is also gradually gaining attention as a credible alternative to various materials in high-end applications. We have demands from partners to replace plastics, metals, or even stone.
