6. Conclusion

Retification improves wood durability and stability. It can be used to enhance the value of unstable, less durable European species such as poplar. Its sterilizing action enables contaminated wood to be recycled. In the case of softwoods, the treatment eliminates resin seepage. Furthermore, European regulations have prohibited the use of copper-chromium-arsenic impregnated wood since June 2004. This creates an opportunity for the development of heat-treated wood for outdoor applications. One of the most recommended applications is cladding, for which the French market is estimated at 35,000 m ³ /year