The Environmental & Energy Area of AIDIMA contributes to the sustainable management of the furniture, wood, packaging and related products industries through R&D projects, focused on eco-innovation to develop new processes, energy management and efficiency, renewable energy, biomass exploitation, materials, products and waste management (advanced treatment, recycling and energy valorisation) to achieve significant improvement from the ecoefficiency perspective.
Environmental and Energy research covers from the new concept generation applying ecodesign strategies, a in-depth analysis of potential environmental improvements and synergies with other aspects (economical, technological and quality) and the final check of environmental impact reduction by Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology.
Everything is supported by our Environmental Laboratory, equipped with a wide range of cutting edge instrumentation among which are the GC-MS (TD, HS), HPLC, ICP-OES, IR, ATG and habitual laboratory instrumentation with a highly qualified analytical researchers. A wide range of R&D projects are developed to help companies to improve their products and their competitiveness in the global market.
R&D on innovative joints for temporary timber constructions. IDANMAD.
The main objective of the project is developing innovative mechanical joints specifically designed for timber elements and constructions to facilitate the mounting/assembly process, versatility and maintenance of temporary constructions with simple rectangular shapes or free and complex geometries. The final goal is to provide the construction sector with new techniques and tools that will solve the joint problems in timber structures and that will foster an increase of the use of wood in construction.

New innovative joint systems will be designed for temporary constructions allowing the use of timber in versatile and secure constructions where timber was not used before.
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The main objective of the project BIOPELLETS is the development of solid biofuels value chain based on residual forest biomass from Valencian Community’s forests. This value chain includes the several steps of biomass processing, from forest to the consumer, taking into account the logistics, the industrial production and the distribution for its use.

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Research of the main wood based boards biodegradability: plywood, particle board, and Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF). BIOTAB-MA.
The biodegradability of the main raw materials used to manufacture furnitures is researched. Although at first everybody supposes inherent biodegradability of wood, the wooden boards are made with formaldehyde-based glues, which may affect the biodegradability of the board. Furthermore, depending on the raw material with which the board is manufactured, it can come from treated wood (like xylophagous) that significantly reduce the biodegradability of these boards.

The project will research the more suitable methodology for the biodegradability analysis on wooden boards. With this methodology, the biodegradability will be researched in the main three groups of boards used today for the manufacture of furnitures. Read more →
Investigation of structural and environmental behaviour to fire through tests and numerical simulation of wooden construction elements with functionality based on habitat. COMPFIREWOOD 2
The Project COMPFIREWOOD-2 is a continuation of the Project started in 2011, COMPFIREWOOD-1, in which are raised some reformulations and changes in the studied matter.

The overall objective of this project is to research and develop products, materials, technologies and processes for producing wood-based building elements, high performance behavior to resistance and reaction to fire, for use in habitat as well as covering elements, such as sectorization element, hollow enclosure of structural bearing capacity as wooden core columns and beams. Read more →
The atmospheric plasma technology allows the modification of surface properties of treated materials by means of an increase in its surface free energy. This may facilitate the wettability of subsequently applied protective films, or increasing the resistance of adhesive joints. Moreover, thanks to plasma polymerization it is also possible to deposit polymer layers to provide new features, such as superhydrophobic surfaces.

This project aims to investigate the potential and feasibility of this technology on different materials commonly used in the manufacture of furniture, joinery and related sectors. Read more →
The main target of the Project is studying the implication of the industrial biomass (BRI) like source of renewable energy in the way to fulfil the objective defined in the “Plan de Acción Nacional en materia de Energías Renovables 2011-2020” (National Renewable Action Plan 2011-2020). For that reason the Project is centred mainly in the study of the biomass and into the technology used as well. Read more →
The main technologic challenge of nanoscience research in the material field is the effective way of add nanocompounds to materials, distributing them in the right way and avoiding the agglomeration in the application process.

If the agglomeration occurs the new properties due to the nanoparticles size will be lost. Read more →
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS). The objective of the Project is the improvement of the environmental behaviour of companies under the preventive focus in three main areas:
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This Project wants to underline:
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The influence of the furniture and wood sector into the Valencian Ron the climate change,
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Studing the responsibilities and the real possibilities the furniture sector has to cope with the CO2 emission regarding the adequate use of the biomass resources,
The aims of the PLANET DESIGN Project are to offer European companies of the wood furniture sector, and especially those of the Mediterranean area, support in adapting to the new regulations dictated by environmental sustainability and in using them as an opportunity for growth and for anticipating the needs of the market.
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