Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa L.)—a Resource for Value-Added Products in Furniture Industry Under European Screening

Abstract

The furniture sector worldwide is rapidly developing and diversifying. The furniture market faces nowadays a competition between various composites and solid wood furniture which is more reliable and environmentally-friendly. Various valuable species, such as oak, ash, and cherry, in addition to other common hardwood and softwood species are chosen by small- or medium-sized furniture companies. Due to its workability, properties, and appearance, black alder can be considered a suitable material for furniture manufacturing. This review offers an outline of the potential of black alder as a wood resource with an emphasis on applications in the furniture industry. Results from recent studies that have focused on active silviculture, uses, wood properties, color changes under air and light exposure, surface quality of processed surfaces during milling and sanding, coating properties, and process optimization are presented. Findings of these studies would help for practical applications so that this wood species can be processed more efficiently for value-added products with enhanced surfaces, improved appearance, and extended service life. Black alder as an under-utilized wood species has been shown to have good potential for the wood industry so that its use can successfully reduce import activities of other species and value-added furniture products can be manufactured. For further studies, the properties of plywood made of densified veneers, surface wettability, and coating performance of such products should be evaluated for the furniture industry.