BILT | Wooden noise barriers treated with linseed oil - a sustainable alternative

Purpose and goal

The densification of urban areas forces people to coexist with transport infrastructure on an ever smaller area. This is addressed with noise barriers - made mainly out of impregnated wood. However, tightening requirements for toxic wood preservatives have lead to a deterioration in the lifespan of wood, and a transition to climate-demanding materials. BILT will develop wood material for noise barriers that is non-toxic, climate-smart and meets existing alternatives in all performance aspects.

Expected effects and result

BILT aims to drastically reduce the use of toxic chemicals and carbon dioxide emissions in the production of noise barriers. The project also addresses the carbon footprint of the product throughout its life cycle by increasing the product´s lifespan and dramatically increasing its possibilities for recycling and/or climate-neutral destruction. Increased wood use contributes to a sustainable economy and to reducing the carbon footprint both upstream and downstream of the noise barrier itself.

Planned approach and implementation

BILT is based on the latest Swedish research on non-toxic life extension of wood and therefore contains a relatively small proportion of basic research. The project can focus on the problems and issues that will lead to the basic research being translated into hands-on results. The project is divided into five basic work packages: 1) Design. 2) Aesthetics. 3) Prototype manufacturing. 4) Market and sustainability analysis. 5) Project management, administration and monitoring of the project.