The paper presents a new method of wood surface impregnation with biopolymers and resins, such as chitosan, zein, gelatine and guaiac resin, by using 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid as solvent-carrier. The mentioned compounds diffuse into the wood, and by ionic liquid removal and drying, are able to form a uniform coating that confers higher moisture resistance, dimensional stability of wood and greater hardness than non-impregnated material. The main advantages of the proposed method of impregnation are the usage of a new solvent such as 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, and considerably lower temperatures (40 degrees C) than conventional processes of impregnation (100-200 degrees C). Another advantage of the proposed method is the higher solubility in the ionic liquid for the mentioned impregnants, as opposed to water or other molecular solvents. (C) 2014 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.