Potentials of Industrial Utilization of Bark

Abstract

Forests have provided mankind with strong basis for economic development for centuries. The last century witnessed unprecedented industrial evolution and expansion in the fields of wood engineering and utilization.  However, the need to develop bioresources as substitutes to petrochemicals has necessitated gregarious research and development on conversion of wastes such as bark to industrial raw materials. Research and development have shown the potentials of wood bark for the production of adhesives and antimicrobials. Advances have also been made in the use of bark components for production of high value added environmental friendly products in pharmaceuticals, fungicides and plants protection. The use of bark tannins as adhesives in wood based panels is an expanding field that may eclipse the importance of petrochemicals in the nearest future in the wood industry. Advances in other fields are have also demonstrated that barks bioactive compounds can be used as intermediates which can be upgraded to specialty chemicals and compounds.

Keywords: bark, tannins, polyphenols, adhesives, bioresources and petrochemicals.