UNIDO Introduces Japanese Timber Drying Technology to Developing Countries

The Tokyo branch of the Investment and Technology Promotion Office of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has started to disseminate know-how about a Japanese method for improving timber quality to African countries, Malaysia, and so on.

This method is called the Ecology Dry System (EDS), and uses a special kiln to treat timber with heat. Unlike the conventional method of merely air-drying timber, EDS improves the quality of the timber by heating even the interior of the wood to a high temperature. This technology makes it possible to make tropical timbers that are basically unsuitable for building materials into superior-quality marketable products by reducing cracks and malformation and increasing strength. Improved tropical timber can be put to various uses. An EDS laboratory in Gunma Prefecture is providing technical guidance and support.

At the 2005 World Exposition, to be held in Aichi, Japan, bamboo processed with EDS technology will be used in the construction of the Japanese government pavilion. The processing of 2,000 bamboo trees is expected to start in February 2004.



Posted: 2004/03/27 10:42:10 AM
Japanese version