Lignocellulosic compounds can be esterified through their hydroxyl groups to obtain new materials (plastic films, hydrophobic coatings, etc.). Recently, a new esterification method was developed using wood saw-dust and fatty-acid chlorides avoiding any solvent. The esterified woody materials showed high hydrophobicity properties which increased with using longer fatty-acid chlorides. Cellulose decrystallization was demonstrated by X-ray analysis and was one reason for the thermoplastic properties of the esterified product. The thermal stability of wood was improved after chemical modification. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.