The invention relates to an agent, in particular a flame retarding agent and/or a fire retarding agent, for reducing the combustibility and flammability of various materials or matters, e.g. like wood and wood products, textiles, paper, cardboard, fibers and fabrics, paints, including composites and/or composite materials therewith, the manufacture of the composition and methods of using the agent and/or the corresponding combination of its constituents to reduce combustibility and flammability. An exemplary composition in dry form (powder) for 1 l of aqueous solvent, in particular for 1 l of water, contains borax in an amount of 30 to 70 wt.-%, boric acid of 30 to 70 wt.-%, sodium chloride (NaCl) in a maximum amount of less than 5 wt.-%, and, if desired, urea in an amount up to 5 g; based in each case on the composition as 100 wt.-%. However, the compositions are preferably free from urea.

The invention relates to an agent, in particular a flame retarding agent and/or a fire retarding agent, for reducing the combustibility and flammability of various materials or matters, e.g. like wood and wood products, textiles, paper, cardboard, fibers and fabrics, paints, including composites and/or composite materials therewith, the manufacture of the composition and methods of using the agent and/or the corresponding combination of its constituents to reduce combustibility and flammability. An exemplary composition in dry form (powder) for 1 l of aqueous solvent, in particular for 1 l of water, contains borax in an amount of 30 to 70 wt.-%, boric acid of 30 to 70 wt.-%, sodium chloride (NaCl) in a maximum amount of less than 5 wt.-%, and, if desired, urea in an amount up to 5 g; based in each case on the composition as 100 wt.-%. However, the compositions are preferably free from urea.

Near InfraRed NIR technology, including NIR cameras and detectors, and machine learning methods and systems, including one or more Machine Learning (ML) based surface irregularity prediction models, are used to accurately identify surface irregularities on a surface of a wood product, such as a veneer sheet or ribbon, and provide irregularity prediction data for the wood product. Based on the irregularity prediction data for a given wood product, one or more actions are taken with respect to wood product or the production process to ensure the wood product is put to the most efficient, effective, and valuable use.

Near InfraRed NIR technology, including NIR cameras and detectors, are used to detect irregularity in the surface of a wood product. Based on the detected irregularities at various locations in a given wood product, one or more actions are taken with respect to a production process used to produce the wood product to ensure the wood product is put to the most efficient, effective, and valuable use.

A method of forming a composite material includes: a) providing a substrate with fibres, lignin and hemicellulose; b) partially removing the lignin and hemicellulose from the substrate; and c) compressing the remaining substrate to form a compressed substrate. A composite material formed by the method is also provided.

Methods for treating cellulosic materials comprising introducing a liquid treating composition into the cellulosic material, the treating composition comprising a solution prepared from at least: (i) one or more of a copper amine complex or copper ammine complex, such as copper tetraamine carbonate, (ii) one or more of ammonia or a water-soluble amine and (iii) water; and exposing the cellulosic material provided thereby to carbon dioxide and/or carbonic acid to provide treated cellulosic material, and treated cellulosic materials prepared thereby.

Methods for treating cellulosic materials comprising introducing a liquid treating composition into the cellulosic material, the treating composition comprising a solution prepared from at least: (i) one or more of a copper amine complex or copper ammine complex, such as copper tetraamine carbonate, (ii) one or more of ammonia or a water-soluble amine and (iii) water; and exposing the cellulosic material provided thereby to carbon dioxide and/or carbonic acid to provide treated cellulosic material, and treated cellulosic materials prepared thereby.

Methods for treating cellulosic materials comprising introducing a liquid treating composition into the cellulosic material, the treating composition comprising an aqueous alkaline copper-containing solution comprising copper tetraammine carbonate; and exposing the cellulosic material provided thereby to carbon dioxide to provide treated cellulosic material.

Methods for treating cellulosic materials comprising introducing a liquid treating composition into the cellulosic material, the treating composition comprising an aqueous alkaline copper-containing solution comprising copper tetraammine carbonate; and exposing the cellulosic material provided thereby to carbon dioxide to provide treated cellulosic material.

A method of forming a composite material includes: a) providing a substrate with fibres, lignin and hemicellulose; b) partially removing the lignin and hemicellulose from the substrate; and c) compressing the remaining substrate to form a compressed substrate. A composite material formed by the method is also provided.