WINETECH Technical Yearbook 2021

PRACTICAL IN THE VINEYARD | DECEMBER 2021

LOOKING INTO WOOD ALTERNATIVES

WITH THE GLOBAL POPULATION IN­ CREASING, it can only be expected that the demand for housing and fuel will increase. As pressure on natural resources are on the rise, we urgently need more sustainable alternatives to protect and preserve our environment for future generations. One such alternative has recently been investi- gated in the form of using vine cuttings as an additive in the manufacturing of pine core particle board. WHY CONSIDER CROP WASTE? Global crop waste is estimated to be approximately 3.7 x 10 9 tonnes per year. The majority of it is used as mulch, or burned – contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Any innovator would consider this scenario ample opportunity for upcycling, which is why valorisation of crop waste into higher value products is currently researched worldwide. WHAT CROPS ARE CURRENTLY USED TO PRODUCE PARTICLE BOARD? Sorghum straws, kenaf stalks, flax shives, bagasse, canola straws, wheat straws and oat hulls are currently utilised in particle board production. However, these crops are also garnering attention as raw ma­ terials for biofuel production, urging manufacturers to seek alternative crops for particle board production.

Grapevines need to be pruned annually. Researchers from the Department of Engineering at Melbourne University in Australia figured that the wood from grapevine-pruning cuttings has the potential to be added as an alternative to woodchips in the manufacture of wood- based composites, such as pine core particle board. HAS THIS BEEN DONE BEFORE? Particle board has been manufactured using 100% vine cuttings in previous research. Although it met the minimum required standards for particle board, the mechanical properties and durability needed more attention. Pine contains more cellulose than vine cuttings do. Cellulose contributes to structural integrity and less cellulose means less mechanical properties, which is why using 100% vine cuttings is not suitable. RISING TO THE CHALLENGE The team from Melbourne University considered producing a hybrid particle board using a combination of vine cuttings and pine. Particle board consists of three layers, two outer surface layers and a middle/core layer. They tested these two raw materials (pine and vine cuttings)

Winetech vine and wine innovation watch: Can vine cuttings benefit the construction industry?

LUCINDA HEYNS: Winetech, Paarl KEYWORDS: Crop waste alternatives, sustainability.

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