The I-PAN project developed innovative lightweight structural panels using poplar wood and recycled materials.
Project Overview
I-PAN, or Innovative Poplar Low Density Structural Panel, was an EU-funded FP7 initiative (completed around 2016) aimed at creating sustainable, low-density wood panels (450-500 kg/m³) for applications like construction and furniture. It combined 50% recycled wood (from poplar tops) with 50% fast-growing poplar from 7-8 year cycles, reducing forest pressure and waste.
Key Innovations
A novel process, derived from OSB technology, produced “light strand board” (LSB) with modified low-energy resins that cut VOC emissions, drying/pressing costs, and energy use. Panels matched lightweight structural needs while boosting EU competitiveness in eco-friendly materials.
Applications and Impact
LSB panels suit doors, furniture, kitchens, and even yachting/shipbuilding for their strength-to-weight ratio. The project emphasized a “virtuous circle” of sustainability through material efficiency and minimal pollutants.
