{"id":"wpc-foundations30-article-006-en","slug":"wood-flour-sawdust-ctmp-wpc-feedstock","locale":"en","url":"https://woodplasticcomposite.net/guides/wood-flour-sawdust-ctmp-wpc-feedstock/","title":"Wood flour, sawdust, fibre and CTMP: choosing a consistent feedstock","answer":"Wood feedstock is an engineered input, not an interchangeable bag of waste. Species, particle preparation and handling all belong in the material specification.","author":"NFC & WPC Knowledge Reference","faqIds":[],"tagIds":[],"noindex":false,"related":["wpc-foundations30-article-007-en","wpc-foundations30-article-008-en","wpc-foundations30-article-013-en"],"version":1,"modified":"2026-10-16","reviewer":"","sections":[{"id":"distinguish-the-forms","text":"Wood flour usually describes finely divided particles. Sawdust is a machining by-product whose geometry depends on the operation that produced it. Wood fibre can have a more elongated form. CTMP means chemithermomechanical pulp, identifying a fibre-production route rather than a finished WPC grade. A supplier's terminology should be supported by measurable incoming properties. \n\nPine, maple and oak should not be treated as a ranking from inferior to superior. Research on different wood feedstocks shows that a range of species can be used; the interaction with matrix and formulation matters.","heading":"Distinguish the forms","references":[1,2],"url":"https://woodplasticcomposite.net/guides/wood-flour-sawdust-ctmp-wpc-feedstock/#distinguish-the-forms"},{"id":"define-an-incoming-inspection-plan","text":"For editorially recommended purchasing control, record species or controlled species mix, source process, moisture, particle distribution, bulk handling behaviour and unwanted material. Separate clean production residues from painted, treated or demolition-derived material. Do not let a generic recycled-content statement conceal this distinction.\n\nPelletized wood feedstock can change storage and transport arrangements. An LCA comparing wood flour and pellets illustrates why preparation and logistics should be evaluated alongside the composite's properties.","heading":"Define an incoming inspection plan","references":[3],"url":"https://woodplasticcomposite.net/guides/wood-flour-sawdust-ctmp-wpc-feedstock/#define-an-incoming-inspection-plan"},{"id":"establish-change-control","text":"If a supplier switches from one wood stream to another, require a documented review rather than assuming that a similar colour establishes equivalence. Retain an approved sample and link feedstock batches to finished-board batches.\n\nFor European buyers, nearby supply can make documentation and communication more convenient. Its technical value comes from the actual quality system: known origins, repeatable specifications and evidence that changes are assessed before products reach a construction site.","heading":"Establish change control","references":[],"url":"https://woodplasticcomposite.net/guides/wood-flour-sawdust-ctmp-wpc-feedstock/#establish-change-control"},{"id":"evidence-scope","text":"[1] Research chapter; feedstock terminology.\n\n[2] Official project findings summary.\n\n[3] Research study; official abstract consulted.","heading":"Evidence and source scope","references":[1,2,3],"url":"https://woodplasticcomposite.net/guides/wood-flour-sawdust-ctmp-wpc-feedstock/#evidence-scope"}],"seoTitle":"Wood flour, sawdust, fibre and CTMP: choosing a consistent feedstock","topicIds":[],"published":"2026-10-16","tableText":"","takeaways":"","aiAssisted":true,"categoryId":"wpc-foundations30-category-fillers-feedstocks","reviewedAt":"","change_note":"Converted from the referenced English foundations collection. General technical information and editorial specification guidance; not product certification.","description":"Compare wood flour, sawdust, wood fibre and CTMP for composite production, with guidance on species, contamination, drying and incoming quality control.","heroImageId":"","referenceIds":["wpc-foundations30-ref-r14","wpc-foundations30-ref-r15","wpc-foundations30-ref-r16"],"review_status":"AI-assisted English article. Human technical review has not been recorded.","table_caption":"","seoDescription":"Compare wood flour, sawdust, wood fibre and CTMP for composite production, with guidance on species, contamination, drying and incoming quality control.","translationGroup":"wpc-foundations30-006-2026","references":[{"url":"https://research.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/23122","type":"web","title":"Wood flour; USDA Forest Products Laboratory","noindex":false,"accessed":"2026-10-15","seoTitle":"Wood flour; USDA Forest Products Laboratory","publisher":"research.fs.usda.gov","description":"Research chapter; feedstock terminology","seoDescription":"Research chapter; feedstock terminology"},{"url":"https://apps.fs.usda.gov/nicportal/WOODINNOVATIONS/dspProjectDetailReport.cfm?id=86","type":"web","title":"USFS Wood Innovations project: eastern hardwood feedstocks in WPC","noindex":false,"accessed":"2026-10-15","seoTitle":"USFS Wood Innovations project: eastern hardwood feedstocks in WPC","publisher":"apps.fs.usda.gov","description":"Official project findings summary","seoDescription":"Official project findings summary"},{"url":"https://research.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/63855","type":"web","title":"Life Cycle Assessment of Wood Flour and Pellets for Manufacturing Wood-Plastic Composites","noindex":false,"accessed":"2026-10-15","seoTitle":"Life Cycle Assessment of Wood Flour and Pellets for Manufacturing Wood-Plastic Composites","publisher":"research.fs.usda.gov","description":"Research study; official abstract consulted","seoDescription":"Research study; official abstract consulted"}],"faqs":[]}