Platowood is a special type of wood. The Platowood also known as Platonising, is a hydro-thermal modification process used to enhance the properties of wood. The excellent, dimensionally stable and aesthetic qualities that the wood takes on in this way, offers the architect of today complete freedom of design. Platowood adds value to wood

1. Platowood
A special type of wood
Presented By:
Group-2
Student ID:
200516, 200517, 200518, 200519, 200523
Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline
Khulna University
28 February 2024

2. Platowood is a special type of wood. The Platowood also known as
Platonising, is a hydro-thermal modification process used to enhance the
properties of wood.
The excellent, dimensionally stable and aesthetic qualities that the wood takes
on in this way, offers the architect of today complete freedom of design.
Platowood adds value to wood
Introduction:
28 February 2024 Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline

3. Platowood has three types of wood:
A. Fraké,
B. Spruce and
C. Poplar.
Only fast-growing wood that comes
from certified forests. wood can be
applied without finishing work, it will
then age naturally.
WOOD TYPES
28 February 2024 Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline

4. Fraké is a fast-growing deciduous wood sourced from
responsibly managed forests with OLB certification in West
Africa. Platowood Fraké is durable and has a sleek, stylish and
exotic appearance. The surface has a subtle flame-like accent,
highlighted by the platonisation process (hydrothermal
modification). The pinstripes and pinholes that might be present
in the wood give it a characteristic look.
As a rugged wood type, Fraké is suited for several different
kinds of application. Amongst others, for façade
cladding and window frames and doors.
PLATOWOOD FRAKÉ
28 February 2024 Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline

5. PLATOWOOD POPLAR
Platowood Poplar comes from FSC-certified forests in Europe.
Due to the unique hydro-thermal modification process -
platonization - this type of wood is suitable for use as facade
cladding, even untreated.
Features Platowood Poplar
Platowood Poplar is characterized by its uniform grain, light line
drawing and refined hues. Beside, the wood feels soft and has a
golden hue due to the process. Platowood Poplar offers, just like
the other types of wood, many advantages. In addition to the fact
that the wood is dimensionally stable, environmentally friendly
and low in maintenance, it has an expected lifespan of 50 years.
28 February 2024 Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline

6. PLATOWOOD SPRUCE
Spruce is sourced from responsibly managed forests in Northern
Europe. This fast-growing coniferous tree is FSC certified. In the
Netherlands, Spruce is traditionally used in the building shell, but the
platonising (hydrothermal modification) process changes the wood
into a high-quality and durable wood product with great dimensional
stability. The natural whitish-yellow colour of spruce changes to a
warm brown during the platonising process.
The presence of knots in the wood is characteristic for spruce.
Furthermore, there might be visible resin pockets and other small
accents on the wood. All these characteristics give Platowood Spruce
a lively and natural appearance. Without additional finishing, the
wood will evenly grey into a silvery hue.
28 February 2024 Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline

7. Fast-growing, sustainable wood: Platowood uses wood from FSC-certified forests,
focusing on fast-growing species.
Three steps: The process involves three stages:
A. Cooking: Wood is heated with steam under high pressure in an autoclave.
B. Drying: The wood is thoroughly dried to remove moisture.
C. Baking: The wood is heated again in a dry environment, without oxygen, to
solidify its structure.
Environmentally friendly: Only water and heat are used, making it a sustainable option
compared to chemical treatments.
METHOD:
28 February 2024 Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline

8. Cooking (Hydrothermolysis):
 Temperature and Pressure: Untreated wood planks, beams, or poles are loaded
into a pressurized vessel called an autoclave. Inside, they are subjected to saturated
steam at temperatures of up to 170°C (338°F) for 30-60 minutes.
 Chemical Transformation: The high temperature and pressure trigger a chemical
breakdown of hemicellulose, a natural component of wood. This breakdown
releases acetic acid and other volatile compounds.
 Benefits: This stage significantly reduces the wood's sugar content, which is a
primary food source for mold and fungi, thereby enhancing its rot and decay
resistance. Additionally, it softens the hemicellulose, making the wood
more dimensionally stable in the following steps.
28 February 2024 Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline

9. Drying:
 Gradual Process: After the "cooking" stage, the wood undergoes a controlled
drying process to remove the excess moisture and prevent cracking. This typically
involves gradually lowering the temperature and pressure over a specific time frame.
 Crucial Step: Maintaining a slow and controlled drying is crucial to prevent warping
and ensure the wood's structural integrity.
28 February 2024 Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline

10. Baking:
 High Heat, No Oxygen: Once the wood is sufficiently dry, it is transferred to
an oven where it is heated again to 180°C (356°F) in a dry, oxygen-depleted
environment.
 Solidification and Strengthening: This final stage promotes the recondensation of the
released acetic acid and other volatile compounds within the wood's cell walls. This
process forms new, stable chemical bonds, further enhancing the wood's durability
and dimensional stability.
28 February 2024 Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline

11. Environmentally friendly
50-year lifespan
Dimensionally stable
Low-maintenance
Excellently processable
Platonising
Excellent insulation value
The benefits of Platowood
28 February 2024

12. The benefits of Platowood
1. Environmentally friendly resources
The wood used for Platowood comes from sustainably managed and certified forests.
This means only renewable resources are used. So, you can relax taking a bath: it is
guaranteed no people, nature or animals were hurt.
2. A special platonising process
The name Platowood comes from the unique patented process called platonising. Most
wood types only undergo a process of drying and heating, but platonising consists of
three steps where water and heat are used to reinforce the wood: hydrothermolysis,
drying and curing. Since this method uses only water and heat, Platowood is
environmentally friendly at this stage too. There are no chemical substances added.
28 February 2024 Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline

13. The benefits of Platowood
3. Suitable for all climates The platonising process decreases the moisture content in
the wood to just 4 to 6 percent. This means the wood is barely affected by moisture
fluctuations. The wood will keep its shape in any climate or season! Since the wood
almost does not shrink or swell, Platowood requires little to no maintenance. It is the
ideal type of wood to use around a hot tub full of moisture and heat.
4. A guaranteed long lifespan
Last but not least, Platowood has a very long lifespan. The unique platonising process
strengthens the wood, while also limiting the possibility of molds. The lifespan of
Platowood is at least 50 years!
28 February 2024 Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline

14. APPLICATIONS
A. Garden
B. Decking boards
C. Interior
D. Noise barriers
E. Frames and Doors
F. Blinds
Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline
28 February 2024

15. Thank You
28 February 2024