Abstract: A process for upgrading low-quality wood including a softening stage, wherein one or more sections of low-quality wood are heated, in the presence of an aqueous medium and at a pressure which is at least the equilibrium pressure of the medium at the operating temperature, to a temperature in the range of from about 120.degree. C. to about 160.degree. C. and maintaining the temperature until the temperature difference between the center and the outer parts of the sections is less than about 20.degree. C., a dewatering stage and a curing stage.

Abstract: A cellulosic fibrous aggregate formed from sections of cellulosic fibrous material by a process which comprises:a softening stage comprising softening a plurality of sections of cellulosic fibrous material by the action of an aqueous softening agent at elevated temperature, thereby at least partially breaking down the cellulosic cross-linking in the cellulosic fibrous material;a compression stage comprising pressing together the softened sections of cellulosic fibrous material to form a compressed matrix; anda consolidation stage comprising dewatering and consolidating the compressed matrix to form a consolidated matrix, and a process for its preparation comprising the aforementioned softening, compression and consolidation stages.