The Proximate and Elemental analysis of the biomass of six different wood types: Makore, Plywood, Medium Density Fibreboard, Particleboard, Coconut wood and Oriented Strand Board

The characterisation of material composition is essential for evaluating the suitability of wood and biomass products in various industrial and energy applications. Proximate analysis can be defined as a technique to measure the chemical properties of a compound based on four elements: moisture content, fixed carbon, volatile matter and ash content. Proximate and elemental analyses provide critical insights into the chemical makeup and combustion properties of these materials, influencing their performance, environmental impact, and processing requirements. According to research, in addition to better positioning in high demand, multiple end-user markets, this basic knowledge of biomass quality will enable effective and economic access to areas with emerging biomass opportunities. This study presents the proximate and elemental analysis of six material samples: Makore, Plywood, Medium Density Fibreboard, Particleboard, Coconut wood and oriented Strand Board. Each sample was evaluated for volatile matter (% loss on ignition), ash content, organic carbon (O.C), Hydrogen (H), Nitrogen (N), and Sulphur (S). Based on ASTM E872 and E1755-01 the proximate and elemental analysis was done. Results indicate significant variation in ash content, with MDF exhibiting the highest values (up to 7.18 %) and Makore, Paricleboard and Coconut wood displaying the lowest (as low as 0.43%). Organic carbon content ranged from 29.13% in Coconut wood to 40.30% in Plywood. Hydrogen content was relatively consistent across all samples, while nitrogen and sulphur levels were higher in MDF and Plywood compared to the other samples. These findings highlight the compositional diversity among the samples, with implications for their suitability in energy production, material processing and environmental applications. By leveraging this combined analysis, decision-makers can select wood-based materials that optimize energy yield, minimize waste and emissions, and support sustainable resource use. Natural woods and select engineered products with low ash, high volatile matter, and low pollutant content are the most sustainable and efficient choices for a wide range of applications.

Professor Gladys Quartey is an academician specialising in wood engineering and biomaterials. She researches lesser utilized wood species and other biomaterials. She holds a PhD in Wood Science and Technology from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and an BSc in Renewable Natural Resources from the same university. Prof. Quartey has worked as a member of team of experts from Bern University of Applied Sciences, Wood and Civil Engineering and Architecture worked on woods characterization and has published extensively on these. She is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Built and Natural Environment at the Takoradi Technical University in Takoradi in the Western Region of Ghana.