Professor Hee-Jun Park (College of Human Ecology, Department of Housing Environmental Design) received a Commendation Award at the Korea Forestry Promotion Institute's 10th anniversary ceremony in recognition of his contributions to generating outstanding outcomes by enhancing the value-added of wood.

Professor Park developed a flame-retardant, noncombustible wood manufacturing technology using a water-soluble flame retardant treatment and significantly contributed to its commercialization through technology transfer to companies.

Through the Korea Forest Service's 'Advanced Technology Development Project for High Value-Added Wood Resources', he completed patent registration and technology transfer for a manufacturing technology of functional building materials with improved humidity control and is promoting the creation of new industries based on wood resources.

Last year, this technology became the first functional building material with moisture-absorbing and -releasing properties to receive National Green Technology Certification, gaining recognition as an eco-friendly technology that minimizes greenhouse gases and pollutants.

If commercialized, the technology is expected to greatly contribute to public health and the environment by making indoor humidity control easier in Korea's climate, which has four distinct seasons and large seasonal temperature and humidity variations.

Professor Park said, 'I am pleased that my efforts to develop and commercialize wood that combines eco-friendly features with high value-added through participation in forest resource science and technology development have been recognized.' He added, 'I will devote myself to applying advanced technologies to the many advantages of wood so they can lead to new high value-added industries.'