PRESS RELEASE
July 17, 1995
Improved timber quality
with newly developed drying technique

Steam drying straightens out
timber problems

A new kind of timber, called Relax®, has been created thanks to a new drying technique. By treating the wood with steam as it dries, the stresses that create distortion are removed. The result is a high grade product with consistent quality.
The process also radically reduces drying time by as much as 20 per cent when compared with conventional techniques which take up to six days to dry timber thoroughly.
The development is the result of a joint venture between the Technical University of Luleå in Sweden and three forestry companies, SCA, MoDo and Graninge.

When timber is dried using conventional methods, the rapid speed with which water is removed from the wood can mean that warping occurs and boards will shake and twist, both in individual planks and in the whole timber stack resulting in cracked or twisted planks.
"The new technique involves saturating the timber with steam, both at the beginning and at the end of the drying process", explains Tom Morén at the Department of Forestry Technology at the Technical University in Luleå, northern Sweden." The steam removes stresses in the timber so that it dries quickly and evenly. This is achieved by controlling the drying process so that the surface and the centre of the timber dry at the same rate."
"In many applications," explains Per Erik Frick, Managing Director of Iggesund Timber in the MoDo Group, " timber comes into close contact with other materials such as steel, plastics and aluminium. It is therefore important that material producers can guarantee that their goods behave consistently. With the new drying technique, we can supply timber products that keep their shape."
"We are very satisfied with the new drying process," says Tommy Sundin, Managing Director of SCA Timber. "We have invested 60 million Swedish kronor (approx.GBP 5.3 million) in our four saw mills," and Krister Fahlgren, Managing Director of Graninge Skog & Trä, adds, "We see only advantages with the drying method. It produces a better product and reduces drying time by one fifth compared with normal kilning."
The new production process has led to the establishment of the Relax Association which has been set up to further develop the drying techniques. All timber produced with the Relax® drying technique, which meet quality standards, will be marked with a special symbol.
Any timber company can become a member of the new association and adopt the drying process on the condition that it fulfils the control and quality requirements set for Relax approval.
"We are very determined to make sure that Relax will really stand for quality and that customers can be completely convinced that they can trust the method," says Tommy Sundin.


Captions:
1(2) Relax® timber is dried with the help of steam, making it free from shakes and distortion, keeping its shape and stopping it from cracking.

2(2) Relax® timber - the quality symbol can only be used on products that have been treated, tested and documented according to the Relax Association's requirements.


For further information contact:
Dr Tom Morén,
Technical University of Luleå,
Tel: +46 920 91000

Tommy Sundin, Managing Director
SCA Timber,
Tel: +46 60 19 33 33

Per Erik Frick, Managing Director
Iggesund Timber
Tel: +46 650 28 000

Krister Fahlgren, Managing Director
Graninge Skog och Trä,
tel: +46 612 88 000





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SCA Press Release/Version 2

Improved timber quality
with newly developed drying technique

Steam drying straightens out
timber problems

A new kind of timber, called Relax®, has been created thanks to a novel drying technique. By treating the wood with steam as it dries, the stresses that create distortion are removed. The result is a high grade product with consistent quality.
The process also radically reduces drying time by as much as 20 per cent when compared with conventional drying techniques.
The development is the result of industry co-operation involving SCA Timber and the Technical University of Luleå in Sweden.

When timber is dried using conventional methods, the rapid speed with which water is removed from the wood can mean that warping occurs, both in individual planks and in the whole timber stack resulting in cracked or twisted planks.
"The new technique involves saturating the timber with steam, both at the beginning and at the end of the drying process", explains Tom Morén at the Department of Forestry Technology at the Technical University in Luleå, northern Sweden. "The steam removes stresses in the timber so that it dries quickly and evenly. It does this by controlling the drying process so that the surface and centre of the timber dry at the same speed."
In many applications, timber sits tightly against other materials such as steel, plaster and aluminium. It is therefore important that material producers can guarantee that their goods behave consistently. With the new drying technique SCA can supply timber products that keep their shape while reducing drying times by one fifth compared with normal methods.
"We are very satisfied with the new drying process," says Tommy Sundin, Managing Director at SCA Timber. "We have invested 60 million Swedish kronor (approx GBP 5.3 million) in our four saw mills."
The new production process has led to the establishment of the Relax Association which has been set up to promote its wider adoption within the timber industry. All timber produced with this drying technique which meets quality standards will be marked with a special symbol.
Any timber company can become a member of the new association and adopt the drying process on the condition that it fulfils the control and quality requirements set for Relax approval. Each member pays a fee which is proportional to the volume of Relax timber produced. This money will be used by the association to continue further development of the drying technique.
"We are determined to make sure that Relax will really stand for quality and that customers can completely trust the method," says Sören Edmark, head of technology at SCA Timber and spokesman for the new Relax Association.

Captions:
1(2) Relax timber is dried with the help of steam keeping its shape and stopping it from cracking.

2(2) Relax timber - the quality symbol can only be used on products that have been treated, tested and documented according to the Relax Association's requirements.

For further information contact:
Tommy Sundin, Managing Director
SCA Timber,
Tel: +46 60 19 33 33

Sören Edmark, Head of Technology,
SCA Timber,
Tel: +46 60 33 80