In order to advance cutting-edge research in the field of innovative and future-oriented hardwood products, the “Research Center for Innovative Hardwood Products (FIL)” was created. The construction costs totaling around 1.2 million euros as well as funds for the equipment (around 710,000 euros) come from the university and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF and ERDF React).

Research on solid wood seeks to define a starting point for wood quality through characteristic-oriented raw wood sorting. Investigations into adhesive properties and coating behaviour of native wood species, as a prerequisite for economic value addition is a central research focus.

As a natural material, wood is subject to various discolouration and degradation processes. One research focus characterizes wood degradation patterns and processes. Various wood protection processes to increase service life and durability of wood products are also in development.

Another research topic focusses on devolopments of innovative wood modification processes, implemented as biozide-free technologies as an alternative for traditional wood protection methods.

This research focus includes the imaging investigation of the complex and heterogeneous structure of wood and wood products. The focus is on examining the surface properties and microscopic structure of samples in 2D and 3D. The imaging examination methods used include classic light microscopy, laser scanning microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy as well as micro-computed tomography.

Research of the wood-based materials division focuses on the adaption of classical wood-based materials to modern product requirements. Such materials include fibreboard, chipboard, oriented strand-boards, plywood, veneer laminated wood, and wood-polymer composites.