USEDOM, Germany, October 13, 2015 – Along the five-kilometer beach promenade between Ahlbeck and Bansin in Usedom, Germany, a total of five beach walks were recently renewed with Kebony character decking.
Two of the five walks also serve as roads so that the local fishermen and maintenance vehicles can drive on the beach. The supporting structure was created from recycled plastic, while Kebony was chosen for the visible surfaces and handrails because of its hardness and durability.
At the entrance road between Heringsdorf and Ahlbeck, a new wheelchair-friendly toilet block was created by the community. Berlin-based DE+ Architecture was commissioned for this project. Designing, planning and manufacturing took 18 months and the project was partly funded by the EU.
Kebony's wood modification process tripled the Scots pine's Brinell hardness (N/mm2), and the durability class, according to EN-350, increased from 3-4 to 1-2. Other Kebony wood species, such as Radiata, also adopt characteristics that are normally only found in tropical timber. All Kebony wood species develop a natural silver patina after exposure to sun and rain while still preserving their properties.
Floor coverings and boardwalks in Kebony are ideal for public beaches because they offer the appeal of classic beachside character while withstanding even the harshest Northern climate.
About Kebony Technology
The Kebony technology is a patented process that enhances the properties of non-durable wood species to give them similar characteristics to the best performing woods. Through a sustainable process, wood species such as pines and some non-durable hardwoods are impregnated with a bio-based liquid derived from agricultural crop waste. With the addition of heat, the furfuryl polymer is permanently grafted into the wood cell wall, resulting in greatly improved durability and dimensional stability.
About Kebony Wood
Kebony is suitable for both internal and external applications that demand high performance and great aesthetics, including decking, flooring, cladding, roofing, windows, indoor and outdoor furniture. Over time, Kebony acquires its characteristic silver-grey patina while not losing its performance characteristics. With improved durability and dimensional stability, Kebony is becoming increasingly the choice of leading architects and developers, enabling them to use wood in projects without causing environmental degradation. Kebony has been used internationally in commercial, public, residential and marine projects, like Hunter’s Point in New York, the Mary Rose Museum and both residential and commercial buildings on the UK’s seafront. A recent study by Norwegian environmental consulting firm Bergfald & Co demonstrated that Kebony has a substantially lower carbon footprint than its tropical hardwood equivalents.