Wood preservatives made from chitin: An environmentally friendly breakthrough!

Wood preservatives made from chitin: An environmentally friendly breakthrough!

On March 19, 2025, RWTH Aachen University announced that studies on a novel wood preservative based on chitin have made great progress. Professor Oliver Weichold and Nils Münstermann from the Institute for Building Materials Research (IBAC) have successfully developed a product that is based on environmentally friendly techniques and stands out from conventional wood preservatives.

Chitin, a natural substance typically found in crab shells and the shells of various insects, forms the basis of this innovative wood preservative. According to RWTH Aachen, the new formula completely dispenses with petrochemical chemicals and only uses minimal amounts of additives to adjust properties. The wood preservative is not only completely compostable, but is also easy to apply as a water-based glaze and dries quickly. It has remarkable properties such as water and stain repellency, UV protection and a fire retardant effect made possible by the high nitrogen content of chitin.

Usability of waste products

A particularly important goal of the researchers is to obtain chitin from fishing waste, which amounts to around 65,000 tons annually in Germany and even 750,000 tons in Europe. This waste is often simply landfilled or thrown into the sea. In order not to compete with food production, the research team aims to only use waste products.

For their groundbreaking work, the team received an award at the “Polymers for Sustainable Future 2024” conference in Prague, which recognizes the outstanding progress in the field of sustainable materials development.

The path to sustainability

The development of sustainable products is more important than ever. In addition to the new wood preservative, the integration of ecological materials into product development is also on the industry's agenda. How Sellwerk analysed, the focus is on resource-saving materials, longevity, recyclability and the reduction of waste. The goal is to create products that are both environmentally friendly and socially responsible.

To achieve these goals, strategies that emphasize sustainable materials are needed. These include, among other things, the use of biodegradable and recycled raw materials, energy-efficient production methods and the promotion of circular economy concepts such as the Cradle-to-Cradle principle.

The advantages of sustainable product development are diverse. Companies can benefit from an improved brand image and cost savings, as resource-saving processes are often more economical. In addition, the growing demand for sustainable products increases customer satisfaction.

Innovation through new materials

A look at the latest developments shows that innovation and sustainability go hand in hand. engineer reports on several new materials that displace fossil carbon and thus enable sustainable products. One example is the plant-based plastic PEF from Avantium Renewable Polymers, which is suitable for packaging, textiles and films and offers significant carbon footprint improvements.

Other notable materials include Colipi's low-carbon yeast oil, which is made from industrial waste products, and Kuori's recyclable materials, which are even made from food waste. These developments make it clear that the future can be made sustainable if companies are prepared to implement innovative solutions and use resources responsibly.

With continued progress in research and product development, there is a clear trend towards environmentally friendly solutions that address both the needs of consumers and the demands of the planet.