Yes, completely. Resin used in our wood modification process does contain formaldehyde, a naturally occurring chemical that is found in all wood.  Our modification process removes this chemical and testing has consistently shown emissions of formaldehyde from our product are at levels considered safe.

No, the LIGNIA modification process polymerises resin locking it into the wood over the lifetime of the product.

Yes, LIGNIA can be processed in the same way as any other wood. Once cured, the resin’s composition resembles that of lignin a naturally occurring wood polymer. As for all wood products appropriate measures should be used to prevent dust generated by wood machining operations being inhaled or contacting the eyes.

No, the UK Environment Agency classifies wood treated with resin as GRADE C wood waste along with particleboard, MDF and plywood. As such it should not be used for the manufacture of animal bedding.

Where pieces are too small to manufacture into product, the best route for disposal is via incineration with energy recovery in a WID compliant incinerator. Biomass is making a significant contribution to the UK’s energy security.

Softwood that has been graded to make sure it is of suitable appearance is impregnated with a resin. Wood is next dried, and resin cured at high temperature to lock the resin in place at a molecular level.

Independent laboratory testing has shown LIGNIA to be Very Durable (Class 1 Durability) against decay fungi. Independent testing has also shown improved resistance against termite attack.

Although density of LIGNIA is increased the Taber resistance test showed it to be less resistant to wear than hardwoods such as oak and beech.

As with other timbers, when exposed uncoated outdoors to the weather LIGNIA will silver over time due to interaction of UV and rainfall with the wood surface. Rate of colour change will depend on level of exposure and will differ with geographic location and elevation.

LIGNIA can be glued and painted in the same way as other timbers. Guidance on suitable adhesives and coatings and their applications are available on request.

LIGNIA can be screwed and nailed like any other timber. However, since its average density is 650 kg/m3 then to avoid splitting of the wood, for thicker pieces pre-drilling is recommended. Fixings should be at least 20mm from the ends and 15mm from edges of boards respectively to avoid splitting.

LIGNIA saws, planes and sands well to a good finish. Wood working machinery should be set up to as if machining a medium density hardwood such as Iroko.

LIGNIA is classed as a Small Movement timber similar to teak or Western Red Cedar.  Small movement timbers are preferred for use externally because fluctuations in environmental conditions result in changes to wood moisture content and shrinkage and swelling of wood. Small Movement timbers shrink and swell less and are more suitable for use in joinery, cladding, decking or outdoor furniture.

LIGNIA is manufactured from timber graded to be ‘free’ from knots and other naturally occur blemishes such as resin streaks on the faces of the piece. Our grade means only small knots <5mm diameter and small resin streaks will ever be present at the surface of our LIGNIA products. LIGNIA Yacht faces are entirely free from knots or surface blemishes

LIGNIA has been tested for formaldehyde emissions using appropriate standards.

Using BS EN 120, LIGNIA was shown to meet the requirements of European Emissions Standards E1 (low emission) classification when tested. Emissions under European E1 Class are 0.1ppm so our samples are at least 12.5 times lower.  

The EPA TSCA Title VI federal regulation emissions limit for formaldehyde is set at 0.05ppm so LIGNIA emissions are at least 6.25 times lower.

Using the JIS 1460A its emission levels were ≤0.3mg/l, the lowest classification available under the test.

Yes, the best route for disposal of LIGNIA waste is incineration in a Waste Incineration Directive (WID) boiler with recovery of energy.

All wood dusts and not just LIGNIA dust are considered hazardous to health since they can cause skin disorders, respiratory problems and nasal cancer. As such, the same precautions need to be taken when processing LIGNIA as for any other wood or wood product.

The modification process does not reduce the strength of the wood but since LIGNIA is manufactured from wood graded for appearance rather than strength, then it is not suitable for use in structural applications.

Performance of LIGNIA in marine applications (i.e. when permanently submerged in seawater) has yet to be tested. In this situation wood is exposed to abrasive forces resulting from wave action as well as marine borers. 

LIGNIA is suitable for use as yacht decks and has shown itself to be able to withstand periodic wetting by sea and rainwater as well as exposure to sunlight.

LIGNIA is manufactured from softwood harvested from sustainably-managed plantation forests. All timber used is FSC® Certified. Carbon dioxide sequestered by these trees as they grow remains locked-in the wood over the life of the product. Since LIGNIA products are durable, there is less of a need to replace these, reducing demand for wood to manufacture replacements. Where LIGNIA products cannot be re-used at the end of their service life they are suitable for use as biomass.

The warranty covers LIGNIA against wood destroying fungi in Use class 3 as defined in BS EN 335:2013.  This Use class includes situations in which the wood or wood-based product is above ground and exposed to the weather (particularly rain). Typical products which fall under this use class are decking boards, cladding and windows and exterior doors.

LIGNIA is manufactured from wood graded to exclude splits and allow only a small number of checks. Care is taken during the modification process to prevent checking and splitting. Every piece of LIGNIA is graded at the end of the modification process as part of our quality control procedures. The Company provides assurance to its customers about the quality of each piece of LIGNIA through our Selling grade available for each LIGNIA product type. The Selling grade places limits on splits and surface checking in pieces.

As with other timbers, the moisture content of LIGNIA will equilibrate to a level that depends on the environmental conditions (i.e. temperature and relative humidity) it is exposed to.

No, independent testing and regular QC checks on LIGNIA product have shown it to be pH neutral or slightly alkaline unlike most timbers that are acidic in nature. As it is not acidic regular stainless steel or other metal fixings can be screwed into LIGNIA wood without causing corrosion.

LIGNIA is manufactured using a patent pending resin modification process. During manufacture, wood is fully impregnated with resin. The wood is then dried, and the resin cured through heating under high temperature and pressure to polymerise the resin and ‘lock it’ into the wood altering its properties throughout the piece.

LIGNIA must be disposed of in accordance with local regulations. This applies to unused material, processing waste (dust, shavings and offcuts) and to end of life material.

LIGNIA can be handled like any other timber. On leaving our production facility it is completely dry. However, it is rough sawn and for that reason, we recommend that gloves be worn to avoid splinters.

Effort is made to ensure that the quality of LIGNIA leaving our manufacturing plant meets requirements set out in our selling grade. However, in common with other timber products it is important that LIGNIA be appropriately handled and stored to prevent damage and degrade as it moves along the supply chain. LIGNIA Wood Company recommends that it be protected from direct wetting and packs to be supported off the ground on bearers extending the full width of the pack and at intervals that keep timbers flat to prevent warp. For further guidance contact LIGNIA at info@lignia.com

Understanding combustibility is important to specifiers of construction products including cladding in the EU and siding and decking in the USA.

In the EU (and UK) only construction products in Euroclass A1 can be classed as non-combustible, with those in A2 classed as limited combustibility. All wood and wood-based materials are rated as Euroclass B or lower and therefore classed as Combustible albeit to different degrees.