Deterioration and Protection of Sustainable Biomaterials

Wood and other structural lignocellulose biomaterials are renewable resources that provide sustainable products that require considerably less energy to manufacture into useable products than other alternatives produced from nonrenewable resources. However, these materials are readily biodegradable and as such must be protected if they are to be used in adverse environments. Consequently, their protection through chemical and nonchemical means plays a vital role in the satisfactory utilization of many products.