PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The present surface of furniture, consisting of linseed oil varnish and beeswax balm, contains solvents such as isoaliphates or balsamic turpentines. Moreover, these substances may be problematic not only for the personnel working with them but also for the user (especially allergy sufferers). Therefore an attempt has been made to find new, natural surface materials which can be processed on an industrial scale without the use of solvents. The currently uncontrolled - and thus extensive - use of materials was to be reduced considerably. Also the current long periods of processing (about eight hours drying time per step) should be reduced to a few minutes. The aim of producing a furniture surface which is absolutely free of solvents in production, processing and use and which can be produced on an industrial scale was to be achieved by developing suitable formulas of natural oils and waxes extracted from regenerative raw materials, to be used for surface treatment of furniture, and by developing an adequate process engineering. After fine-grinding of the wood, the boards are sprayed with hot oil from above and from underneath at the same time. After subsequent intermediate oil-grinding, the boards are sprayed with hot wax in a wet-in-wet procedure. The treatment is completed by wax-polishing of all surfaces and edges. The resultant overspray of oil and wax is recycled. About 65.000 litres of surface materials containing a portion of around 50 - 60 % of solvents have been replaced by solvent-free materials.