Wood wool: production, properties and applications

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

There are many packaging and decorative items today. We have not even heard of some of them and did not imagine that it is possible to use familiar material in this way. For example, wood wool. Even this phrase is confusing. So let's see what lies behind it!

Wood wool - what is it

Another common name is packing shavings. So what's with the name? As you will see in the photo, the wood fibers of such a material resemble thick tangled yarn in their appearance. Based on this association, such a name was formed.

Wood wool is definitely an environmentally friendly packaging product. It is 100% natural wood. It would be a mistake to consider it waste wood processing. The latter include simple sawdust. Or wood shavings, which has nothing to do with the packaging we represent.

Wood packing wool is a specially made product. It is produced on wood wool machines. The wizard sets all the parameters of the future product for the device - width, length, thicknessfibers. It is made from various wood - linden, birch or coniferous species.

Wood wool is a collection of thin wood fibers that are specially twisted and bent on the machine to get a kind of tangled mass at the exit. What is important, all the "threads" in the bundles have the same length, width and girth. This is why the attractive appearance of wood wool is guaranteed. Many say that she is very pleasant to the touch.

Wrong to assume that this "wool" is only used as chicken coop bedding. This is a very versatile product. Its main application is decor and packaging, stuffing material. Wood wool is indispensable for the transportation of goods that require careful handling.

As it used to be

Do not think that wood wool is a modern innovation. This type of packaging was known back in the days of the USSR. Moreover, almost every timber industry enterprise always had a wood-wool machine. He made such a product in thousands of tons! After all, the fact was that production waste was processed not into sawdust, as it is now, but into high-quality wood wool.

Now, unfortunately, the production of this product can be counted on the fingers. What was its main use in the Union? First of all, zoos supplied wood wool. After all, this is the highest quality and most comfortable bedding for animals kept in captivity. For example, softwood shavings remind them of the forest with their structure and smell. And the phytoncides secreted by it kill harmfulmicroorganisms. And hardwood wool was used for rodents and small animals, as it does not emit phenols and resins harmful to these inhabitants.

Another important use is as filler for shipping valuable fragile goods. Today, this purpose of wood wool is forgotten. After all, there are cheaper foam fillers.

Main use

The name "packing chips" speaks for itself. Wood wool is applied as follows:

• Filler for packaging expensive alcoholic products - champagne, cognac, whiskey.
• Packaging of handmade products, eco-products.
• Designing exclusive corporate gifts.
• Sending parcels with fragile valuable cargo - chinaware, figurines.
• Decoration of bouquets, flower arrangements.
• Filling souvenir sachets, decorative pillows.
• Packaging of handmade confectionery - souvenir gingerbread, chocolate figurines.
• Replacing sisal (sisal fibres).
• Stuffing. Used in hand-made soft toys such as the popular Teddy toys.
• Decorative or souvenir decoration.
• Great packaging option for fruits with a delicate shell.
• Filler for baskets and boxes.
• Litter for pets - hamsters, house mice and rats, guinea pigs, etc.
• Great for seasonal shop window dressing.

Additional application

Wood wool has also proven itself in natural agriculture. It's all about its properties - it is a good heat insulator, perfectly absorbs moisture.

Based on this, the following applications can be distinguished:

• Litter for chicken coop, incubator.
• Aviary litter for dogs.
• Stable bedding, etc.

Wood wool does not bring inconvenience to the animal, it is easy to clean, change to fresh. In addition, it is absolutely safe. Another significant advantage is that the animal will not physically be able to eat it, unlike the same sawdust.

The following uses are also great:

• In construction for the production of fiberboard.
• Insulation for frame-type housing construction.
• Great safe fire starter that doesn't require special storage conditions.
• Application in home gardening, gardening. Wood wool is good for mulching. It is also a good idea to use it as an area protection for fruit trees.

Characteristics of "wool"

Wood wool for packaging is usually manufactured in accordance with GOST 5244-79. It is a wood product of the highest quality. If the "wool" is made and stored correctly, then it has an aesthetic appearance, curls beautifully and does not darken over time. Its color varies from white, straw to light brown. Some manufacturers make coloredwood wool specially for packaging.

Standard options are usually as follows:

• Length - 50 mm.
• Width - 1.5-2mm.
• Thickness 0.05-0.15mm.

Product highlights

Store in bags or special compressed bales. The remarkable properties of wood wool are as follows:

• Excellent airflow.
• Poor thermal conductivity.
• Guaranteed sustainable.
• The ability to keep the item clean.

Product cost

Such packaging chips, of course, will be much more expensive than ordinary chicken coop bedding. Imagine average retail prices:

• 0, 5 kg - 200-250 rubles.
• 1 kg - 400 rubles.
• 5 kg - 1500 rubles.

Basically, retail wood wool is sold in ordinary polypropylene bags. Buying in bulk is much more economical:

• 50 kg - 200 rubles/kg.
• 100 kg - 150 rubles/kg.
• 500 kg - 100 rubles/kg.

Of course, it turns out more expensive than ordinary wood shavings. In this case, the "wool" comes in packing bales, often compressed.

Where can I buy it? You will find a large number of offers on the net. Virtual stores offer both delivery and pickup.

Wood wool is a product with a huge variety of uses. Leading among them will be packaging anddecorative design. It is also widely used as bedding for pets. Wood wool stands out for its environmental friendliness, unpretentiousness, and aesthetic appearance.