With the continued rapid development of the global economy and constant increase in population, the overall demand for wood and wood based products will likely continue to increase in the future. According to a FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) global outlook study on the trends of demand for wood products, there will be an increase in demand of the order of 20% by 2010. The current concern is whether this future demand for forest products can be met sustainably [FAO 1997]. As a cheap and fast-grown resource with superior physical and mechanical properties compared to most.
