This book is exclusively concerned with wood modification, althoughmany of these processes are generic and can be applied to otherlignocellulosic materials. There have been many rapid developmentsin wood modification over the past decade and, in particular, therehas been considerable progress made in the commercialisation oftechnologies. Topics covered include:* The use of timber in the 21st century* Modifying the properties of wood* Chemical modification of wood: Acetic Anhydride Modificationand reaction with other chemicals* Thermal modification of wood* Surface modification* Impregnation modification* Commercialisation of wood modification* Environmental consideration and future developmentsThis is the first time that a book has covered all woodmodification technologies in one text. Although the book covers themain research developments in wood modification, it also puts woodmodification into context and additionally deals with aspects ofcommercialisation and environmental impact.This book is very timely, because wood modification isundergoing huge developments at the present time, driven in part byenvironmental concerns regarding the use of wood treated withcertain preservatives. There has been considerable commercialinterest shown in wood modification over the past decade, withproducts based upon thermal modification, and furfurylation nowbeing actively being marketed. The next few years will see thecommercialisation of acetylation and impregnation modification.This is a new industry, but one that has enormous potential.This book will prove useful to all those with an interest inwood modification including researchers, technologists andprofessionals working in wood science and timber engineering, woodpreservation, and well as professionals in the paper and pulpindustries, and those with an interest in the development ofrenewable materials.