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Münchberg/Kassel – Researchers at Hof University of Applied Sciences are currently focusing on an especially fascinating and versatile plant: the willow shrub. At the Institute of Materials Science (ifm) in Münchberg, attention is being directed toward this plant, whose flexible wood can be used in textile production, construction, as well as in medicine and cosmetics. Willow provides a rapidly renewable resource that, when utilized in these fields, also contributes to significant CO₂ savings.
Willow has ideal properties for its intended applications in the textile and construction industries. It is both flexible enough to produce endless willow wood fibers for weaving or braiding, potentially replacing rattan derived from the East Asian rattan palm, and strong enough in its woven form to serve as a reinforcement material for facades in construction. “We aim to establish willow wood as a material for these sectors. The advantages are clear: the shrub grows quickly, with shoots of up to five meters harvestable annually. Moreover, using willow helps reduce CO₂ emissions since it’s a regional plant that doesn’t require long transportation,” explains Corinna Anzer from the ifm at Hof University of Applied Sciences. She adds, “Together with our partner, the University of Kassel’s research platform BAU KUNST ERFINDEN, we aim to replace traditional manual braiding and weaving processes with reliable industrial, machine-based methods. To achieve this, we have adapted several textile processing machines.”
Future applications of the finished product are envisioned in architecture, interior design, furniture, sports equipment, and even lampshades.
Sustainable Production of a Regional Wood
The researchers, in collaboration with farmers and industrial partners, are also focusing on sustainable production, cultivating willow with specific material and growth properties. They grow the shrub in multifunctional agroforestry systems, which combine trees with crops and livestock to create both ecological and economic benefits for farmers. Corinna Anzer, the technical lead for weaving and braiding at ifm, explains: “Our goal is to extract willow wood for fibers and textiles while also harvesting salicylates from the bark for use in medicine and cosmetics. Nearly every part of the willow can be utilized.”
For farmers interested in production, the shrub offers another advantage: as a deep-rooted plant, willow is more resistant to short-term droughts and provides excellent soil erosion protection with its extensive root system.
Research on Processing Steps
Processing willow wood fibers comes with many challenges. First, dried willow shoots, often several meters long, must be processed into uniform threads. They are adjusted in width and thickness to achieve a consistent cross-section. In the next step, the sections are "spliced," meaning they are cut at a sharp angle to create points suitable for gluing. “This step is particularly critical because the glue joint must not become a weak point,” Anzer explains.
In the braiding and weaving process, researchers had to carefully balance machine parameters and thread tension to prevent material breakage. A key challenge was managing 180-degree turns in the threads, as willow, while more flexible than typical wood, is not as pliable as cotton, polyester, or hemp. The braiding process itself can be visualized as a traditional Maypole dance: “Just as ribbons intertwine during the Maypole dance, our willow wood fibers must overlap to form a durable structure,” says the project’s deputy leader.
Value Chain Analysis
The entire value chain of willow wood, from cultivation to high-value products, is being analyzed, considering factors such as soil, climate, water management, and biodiversity-promoting measures. The research is supported by the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs, and Spatial Development (BBSR) on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development, and Building (BMWSB) through the Innovations for Future Construction program, as well as the Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR) on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture (BMEL).
Corinna Anzer, Institute of Materials Science at Hof University of Applied Sciences (ifm)
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