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The research project SURF~PARQUET is related to the sector of industry producing wood flooring elements and parquet and involves also related sectors, in particular coating industry.

In order to improve parquet floorings in comparison to competing synthetic flooring products, the parquet surface properties (such as structuring and slip resistance), as well as the resistance of wood against external influences (such as humidity, building materials and cleaning agents), have to be considered together with concepts for cleaning and restoration. The objectives of the project are to develop structured surfaces for parquet floors with high chemical resistance against building materials and cleaning agents, as well as cleaning and restoration concepts.

To this end, coated surfaces are developed, which are able to maintain the natural appearance of the underlying wood and at the same time show an appealing structuring. For this purpose, the process of surface finishing of parquet is considered as a whole with pre-treatments (e.g. grinding, brushing) and post-treatments (e.g. embossing, etching), as well as the development of new coatings and intermediate steps like application parameters, formulation and structural additives. The targeted surface properties will be controlled by design of the macro- as well as the microstructures of the wood coating. Additional questions which come as a consequence of dealing with structured surfaces will be considered, such as concepts for cleaning and restoration of these floorings.

In order to increase the chemical resistance of natural wooden floorings against building chemicals and cleaning agents, a root cause analysis is carried out for recurring damages and weak spots on parquets (e.g. deformations discolorations). In this project, laboratory studies with defined climatic conditions are planned, which expose parquets to relevant cleaning agents and building materials such as screeds, adhesives, insulation layers and building dusts (sampling from actual building sites). The effects of these materials on parquet flooring are analysed and evaluated. Based on this, a standardized test methodology is developed in order to evaluate the resistance of any given parquet against building chemicals and cleaning agents. Finally, on the basis of the data gathered, a draft of technical recommendations for building practice is developed, which serves as a tool for building coordinators and flooring construction teams, in order to predict and avoid damages to wooden floorings.

As results of the project, parquet systems and structured non-slip surfaces with a high chemical resistance are developed. Additionally, a test method for the effects of building materials and cleaning agents on parquets, as well as a summary of technical recommendations for construction teams are developed.

The benefits for SMEs are the improvement of the properties of parquet compared to competing products which imitate the natural appearance of wood.

IHD (Germany) and HFA (Austria) are leading research institutes in the field of wood technology in Europe. Both institutes have a long track-record on innovative R&D projects related to wood flooring and build upon an excellent collaboration in the forerunner project EUROPARQUET. They have the competence and equipment to carry out the research activities in the project. The associations in the project consortium represent groups of wood industry from both countries that include major players in the parquet sector. The associations are important networks to disseminate the project´s results to their members. The strong and active involvement of international companies in the User Committee gives the project a real European dimension, which is necessary to gain international agreement with and recognition of the project results. The pre-competitive character of the project to the benefit of the whole branch enables open and efficient discussions within the international platform that will be established via the project consortium and the User Committee. This approach is by far more effective than individual national initiatives to gain improvement of parquet quality.

Project implementation

On 1st November 2017, the European Cornet Project SURF~PARQUET started officially. The goal of the project is the development of structured surfaces for wooden parquets with good resistance against building chemicals, as well as the development of a test method for the resistance of parquets and the development of cleaning and restoration methods for structured parquet surfaces.

The research within the project is conducted together by the institute Holzforschung Austria (HFA ) and the German Institute of Wood Technology IHD (Institut für Holztechnologie Dresden).

IHD (Germany) and HFA (Austria) are leading research institutes in the field of wood technology in Europe. Both institutes have a long track-record on innovative R&D projects related to wood flooring and build upon an excellent collaboration in the forerunner project EUROPARQUET. They have the competence and equipment to carry out the research activities in the project.

The industrial associations in the project consortium Trägerverein Institut für Holztechnologie Dresden und Fachverband der Holzindustrie Österreichs represent groups of wood industry from both countries that include major players in the parquet sector. The associations are important networks to disseminate the project´s results to their members. The strong and active involvement of international companies in the User Committee gives the project a real European dimension, which is necessary to gain international agreement with and recognition of the project results. The pre-competitive character of the project to the benefit of the whole branch enables open and efficient discussions within the international platform that will be established via the project consortium and the User Committee. This approach is by far more effective than individual national initiatives to gain improvement of parquet quality