Research & Development

Since its inception, IWST, Field Station, Kolkata has been making significant contributions for development of efficient technologies related to wood and panel products based on wood and other lignocellulosics (renewable fibres) and their adoption by the Industry. The Institute takes up multidisciplinary and applied research projects based on problems identified by the industries and other interested organizations. An important and unique aspect of R & D works at the Institute is that lab scale findings are upscaled to industrial level to facilitate their quick adoption by the industry. In addition to institute projects, sponsored projects funded by Industry, National & International agencies are also taken up. Institute has successfully executed projects funded by ICAR, IJIRA, AGRI-SEARCH, NINFET, GTZ. Result oriented collaborative research projects with other institutions / organizations are also undertaken towards achieving the institute’s vision.

WOOD & WOOD COMPOSITES

Considering that rapid growth, plantation timber will be the major industrial round wood raw material in the country. The main focus of research related to wood and wood composites is on development of efficient technologies for effective utilization of such wood. Important areas of R & D are:

Development of wood adhesives

Protective coatings for wood materials

Wood composites from natural & agro-waste

GLP & preservative treatment for enhancing service life of plywood

Effective techniques or utilization of plantation grown timber for production of panel products including plywood of different grades, block boards, flush door shutters etc.

Energy efficient bamboo housing system

Training & Education

Training, essentially is an integral part of human life. In recent years HR Planning has assumed great significance in manufacturing sector which includes wood based panel industry. From then onwards, this Institute caters to HRD needs of the wood based panel industries through several training programmes. In this endeavor, the institute has excellent infrastructural facilities for classroom teaching, laboratory and factory simulated facilities for “hands on” training in Plywood, Resin Manufacture and Testing etc. and organizing vocational training courses with period varying from 3 days to 30 days Special training programmes are also organized at the request of industries, regulatory departments/ organizations of Union/ State governments, and non- government organizations.

Testing

IWST Field Station Kolkata is a specialized national laboratory recognized by Bureau of Indian Standards under the certification scheme for testing of wood and wood based panel products and other lignocellulosic materials, adhesives, adhesive components, preservative chemicals, identification of timber species, etc. for conformity to Indian and other Standards.

It is also a NABL accredited laboratory in Mechanical and Chemical field of testing for Plywood, Block Boards, Flush Doors and Synthetic Resins with a view to have world – wide recognition to the testing services of the institute. It is also equipped with modern facilities like digital door testing equipment, trinocular microscope, spectrophotometer, viscometer, formaldehyde emission test facilities, digital universal testing machine, fire retardancy test equipment, abrasion tester etc. It has facilities for testing of timber, panels based on wood and other lignocellulosic materials, for conformity to Indian and other International Standards.

Extension

IWST Field Station Kolkata adopts a multi-pronged extension approach so that the benefits of its efforts flow to the society through the processing industry.

Information dissemination through research / technical reports, magazines

Scientists visits to Industries on request

Participation in national exhibitions

Technical presentation in conferences/seminars etc

Consultancy Service & Technology Transfer

Publication of articles in referred Journals

Infrastructure Facilities

Mechanical laboratory

Adhesive technology lab with panel manufacturing facilities

Biology laboratory

Panel testing laboratory

Bamboo processing workshop

Hostel cum Guest Room
The Institute is having 15 bedded lodging and boarding facility inside the campus for trainees with a minimal rental charges per day. It has also one guest room inside the hostel with all amenities.

Library and Conference Hall
The Institute has an excellent library dealing with various aspects of wood and wood based panel materials and adhesives including basic sciences, Indian and international journals, newsletters, research reports, standards. It has more than 500 books relating to Physics, Chemistry and Botany fields.

Want to Test your PLYWOOD & PANEL PRODUCTS ?

Come to the Experts !

General Purpose Plywood as per IS : 303

Shuttering Plywood as per IS : 4990

Marine Plywood as per IS : 710

Fire Retardant Plywood as per IS : 5509

Decorative Plywood as per IS : 1328

Particle Board as per IS : 3087

Prelaminated Particle Board as per IS : 12823

Medium Density Fibre Board as per IS : 12406

Prelaminated MDF as per IS : 14587

Flush Door Shutter as per IS : 2202

Panel Door Shutter as per IS : 1003

Moulded skin doors as per IS : 15380

Block Board as per IS : 1659

Bamboo Mat Board as per IS : 13958

Resin as per IS : 848

Emission of Formaldehyde in Panels

Identification of Timber Species

Consultancy

Implementation of new developments of wood adhesives in plywood industries

Minimization of cost of plywood, minimization of emission level of free formaldehyde as per E1 level

Protection of wood materials from natural & UV degradation

Setting up of machineries in wood based panel industries

Construction of pre-fab bamboo composite houses

Research & Support Staff