Having successfully demonstrated that blackbutt timber – eucalyptus pilularis – can be used for the manufacture of highly durable and waterproof structural A-bond laminated veneer lumber (LVL), the ACCI is now poised to apply the technology for the marine environment.

Since the mid-1990s, the ACCI has been working with the NSW State Government in assessing the suitability of blackbutt timber to replace traditional hardwood, obtained from old growth forests, for the production of LVL.

A laboratory scale LVL manufacturing facility was used to produce 3.6m LVL beams, which were shown to be capable of complying to a stress grade of F34 – the highest strength grade possible.

For further details contact Professor Marton Marosszeky at the Australian Centre For Construction Innovation, UNSW on Ph: 0412 446 916