The present invention relates to a method for continuous acetylation of wood elements. The acetylation is conducted with an acetylation medium at a pressure of at least 1.5 barg in a substantially oxygen free environment. Alternatively, the method according to the invention comprises the steps of: (a) feeding wood elements in a substantially oxygen free environment to a continuous acetylation reactor, and (b) treating the wood elements with an acetylation medium in the continuous acetylation reactor under wood acetylation reaction conditions, at a pressure of at least 1.5 barg.

The process according to the present invention allows to acetylate wood elements to a high acetyl content in a very efficient way, without compromising on the quality of the material. The acetylated wood elements can be used in the production of medium density fibreboards with superior qualities such as dimensional stability and durability.

The invention relates to a method for drying, modelling and/or thermally modifying wooden parts, comprising the steps of: a) arranging the wooden parts in a bath; b) filling the bath with a liquid, for instance paraffin or (linseed) oil, wherein the wooden parts are sealed from the ambient air by the liquid; c) the liquid being heated for some time, preferably between 100 C. and 300 C., for the purpose of drying, modelling and/or thermally modifying the wooden parts; d) removing the wooden parts from the bath. The invention also relates to a device for performing the method according to the invention for drying, modelling and/or thermally modifying wooden parts, comprising:a bath adapted to receive the wooden parts, which bath is intended to receive a liquid such as paraffin or (linseed) oilheating means for heating the liquid. Finally, the invention relates to a covering and rack as parts of the device according to the invention.

A process is provided for treating wood products including lumber, plywood and other engineered wood products comprising the steps of applying an aqueous fire-retardant impregnate and applying a coating to the surface of the wood product. In one embodiment, said process confers fire-retardant properties to the wood products sufficient to pass the extended burn test of ASTM E-84. The present invention also provides fire retardant wood products.

Disclosed is a board made from acetylated rubberwood elements and a method for making same. The acetylated rubberwood elements have an acetyl content of at least 17% and/or are prepared by acetylating rubberwood elements using an acetylation agent in the vapour phase. The invention also pertains to acetylated rubberwood elements prepared by using an acetylation agent in the vapour phase.

A novel and inventive method of Wood Modification is provided, combining two singular modification strategies for accessible OH group reduction into one, simultaneous hybrid process, by taking advantage of a high-pressure modification process.