Valorization of waste generated in the kraft paper manufacturing industry: Sustainable alternative to chemical wood treatments

Wood is an attractive material due to its low energy demand for processing, contribution to reducing the greenhouse effect during its formation and insulating properties when dry. Although many woods are naturally resistant to decay agents, some fast-growing species require preservative treatment. In Brazil, around 70% of the wood consumed by industry comes from reforestation, with Pinus sp. and Eucalyptus sp. widely used in civil construction. Political and environmental restrictions are driving the search for more sustainable alternatives, both in preserving wood and in choosing resistant species. The effectiveness of traditional preservation methods is undermined by the environmental impacts of the products used. There is a growing need to develop antifungal chemicals that are effective and safe for the environment and humans.