DMDHEU – New Wood Modification for Australasia

The Dimethyloldihydroxyethelenurea (DMDHEU) modification of radiata pine has been a process studied for some time.

Developed in Germany, DMDHEU modification is not a biocide, fungicide or an insecticide.

The two step process is applied to non-durable wood species resulting in “modified” wood with tropical hardwood properties.

The process creates a permanent swelling of cell walls, bulking the wood and improving its hardness and density.

New Zealand radiata pine sapwood is a perfect substrate for the process, and the resultant product has high performance characteristics, including:

  • Doubling of the surface hardness
  • 50% reduction in shrinking and swelling
  • 35% increase in stiffness.
  • 35% increase in density
  • High durability, comparable to H4 CCA treated Radiata pine

Formaldehyde emissions remain below the European E1 limit for engineered timbers, and total VOC emissions are lower than those of many softwood species.

Contact the Abodo team for more information on DMDHEU modified wood.