Forest Service/USDA Wood Innovations Grants
Recipient Point of Contact: Levente Dénes
Location: Morgantown, West Virginia
Summary
Converting the low-quality hardwood lumber products into value-added construction materials could contribute significantly to the economic prosperity of the central Appalachian regional communities. This project will capitalize on the R&D strengths of West Virginia University in collaboration with PFS TECO, WoodWorks, and Allegheny Wood Products to (1) investigate the compliance of HCLT panels to current national building codes and standards and to remove important barriers of HCLT commercialization, (2) develop new innovative solutions of HCLT manufacturing processes for mechanical, electrical and plumbing services accommodation to improve the convenience of using HCLT products, (3) evaluate the HCLT’s impacts on the eastern U.S. construction market with economic and environmental assessments, and (4) develop a regional outreach program to build a communication platform among construction and wood product industries, developers, researchers, and government agencies. Findings and programs developed in this project will further facilitate the adoption and expansion of HCLT into the eastern U.S. construction market, promote the development of regional wood product industries, enhance local job opportunities for a stronger circular bioeconomy and allow for sustainable utilization of forest resources.