Technology
Our process unlocks the quality and value of lumber
Deadwood’s novel process uses the latest in wood science and technology by combining fundamental chemistry, mechanics, and heat to produce a high quality sustainable lumber product. The high-level process includes pre-treating lumber in an enviro-chemical solution in preparation of rapid heat and pressure application. The resulting densified lumber is straightened and squared, more mechanically sound, and more weather resistant than its original state.
Chemi-thermo process
A proprietary process developed by Deadwood Innovations. The environmentally safe process uses a food industry compound and thermodynamics to drive the reaction.
Increased Strength and Stability
The densification and thermal process increases both the strength and stability of the lumber.
Technology partners
Why upgrade lumber?
1.
Decreases in Allowable Cut and High Quality Timber
Government policy trends and natural disturbances require the forest industry to explore underutilized species and commercialize new technologies to replace the dwindling supply and reliance on high quality timber.
2.
Sustainable Value-added Wood Products
The sustainable use of wood in durable products reduces the rise in CO2 level in the atmosphere, acting as a brake on the greenhouse effect (P. van der Lugt, 2020).
3.
Alternative to Expensive Imports
Upgrading lumber from local feedstock creates a domestic product that is more affordable and ethically responsible than expensive import products.
4.
economics
Rising costs of production require improvements to the wood to fetch higher prices in the market. Deadwood’s technology enables the use and sale of lower cost feedstock into premium markets.
Feedstock
Deadwood Innovations can use underutilized species and low grade SPF that fetch low prices in commodity markets.
Our first commercial plant will be targeting primarily aspen as feedstock for go-to-market. Longer term, as markets change, lumber produced from other species can be upgraded.
Why aspen?
Support Biodiversity
Young aspen is an important food source for deer, elk, moose, bears, and hares. Providing a commercial use for aspen ensures industry includes aspen in reforestation efforts historically focused on monocrop agriculture to replace commodity lumber species such as spruce, pine, and fir.
Wildfire Suppression
Aspen’s higher water content and self-pruning branches are less volatile than conifers. The foliage shades the forest floor for better ground level moisture retention. Aspen stands can slow down fire spread rate and intensity. Enabling a high value and sustainable outlet for aspen provides an opportunity to strategically harvest and allow aspen to flourish around forest fire vulnerable communities.
Reduced GHG Emissions and carbon sequestration
Deadwood uses the generally accepted formula that 1m3 of timber holds 1 tonne of CO2e. Sequestering these GHG’s in long life products instead of using the aspen for pulp, pellets, or electricity, reduce emissions from the sector.
Resiliency and Regrowth
Aspen is one of the species that benefits from clear-cutting to regenerate, being shade intolerant, and regrows from both seedlings and root suckers (AHEC, 2024).
Deadwood vs traditional forestry supply chains*
*Based on the Nak’azdli integrated fibre corridor
Tl'Oh Upgrader Commercial Plant
Deadwood Innovations is currently developing our first commercial facility. Detailed engineering is underway and construction is scheduled to start in the winter of 2024/25.
The Tl’Oh Upgrader will be the world’s first of its kind.
Technology Portfolio
In addition to our scalable lumber upgrading technology, Deadwood Innovations has developed and patented a novel mechanical timber processing technology. This technology was developed in the first iteration of our pilot plant and product development remains underway in the lab. Our patent process breaks down whole logs into linear parallel strands, which are then bonded together to create a unique engineered wood product. Any quality or species of timber can be processed, particularly wildfire or insect damaged trees.
Innovation through actioned research and development remains a core mission. Through our established partnership pathways, we are bridging the gap between academia, industry, government, and First Nations to commercialize new technologies in forestry.
Following the commercialization of our lumber upgrading technology, stay tuned for commercial developments on our other technologies.
