The beginnings of the Institute in the first half of the 20th century
The twenties were a time when wood science developed rapidly all over the world, and important theoretical and practical researches, for example, on rosin extraction, coal burning and wood antiseptics, began in Latvia as well.
Starting from the 1920s, forestry-related departments were introduced in several educational institutions in Latvia, and in the 1930s wood-related research was based mainly on the work of doctoral candidates.
An important turning point was on February 7, 1946, when the statutes of the Latvian Academy of Sciences were approved, and on February 21, 15 institutes were established, among which was the Institute of Forestry Issues, or the current Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry.
The valuable work of the previous two decades in forestry and wood chemistry technologies was a strong basis for the research directions of the newly founded Institute, which culminated in its rapid growth - at the end of 1946, the Institute already had 60 employees, 38 of whom were scientists:
- 13 foresters,
- 13 chemists,
- 12 wood treatment specialists.
The Institute of Forestry Issues was also the basis for the later establishement of other institutes (Latvian State Forestry Institute "Silava" and Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis).
The role of Prof. Arvīds Kalniņš
Prof. Arvīds Kalniņš, the Institute's first director, personally played a big role in the creation and development of the Institute of Wood Chemistry, and nowadays, in honor of the academician's memory, the Arvīds Kalniņš Award for research in forest sciences and wood research and processing is presented biannually. Prof. Arvīds Kalniņš made a significant contribution to theoretical science, for example by drawing attention to the relationship between the mechanical and chemical properties of wood and the conditions of tree growth. However, the cornerstone of his philosophy was the belief that research should develop into practical application and a real contribution to society.
"For the time being, many of us do not care enough about putting our achievements into practice and are content with publishing research results or handing them over to relevant ministries, not being interested in their further fate. Such behavior shows that the work of these authors was not close to their hearts or they themselves are not sure of the results achieved. In the future, such cases should not be repeated." (Quotation from the speech of Prof. A. Kalniņš in 1978)
Versatility of the Institute's research
The Institute's research covered a wide spectrum, both in forestry and in the economy and rational use of timber (what we would call biorefinery today):
- hydrolysis of sawdust or woodworking residues with concentrated sulfuric acid, thus investigating the hydrolysis mechanism of cellulose and wood polysaccharides,
- possibilities of obtaining fodder yeast from peat,
- dry evaporation of wood and other organic materials,
- preservation of wooden constructions,
- chemical stimulation of resin flow,
- obtaining generator gas for gas generator cars from logging waste,
- lignin structure and its importance in wood and industry,
- catalytic oxidation of furfural vapors from wood pentosans to maleic anhydride,
- synthesis of furfural derivatives.
In the post-war period, the demand for lumber increased, which dictated the interest in lumber drying research. A wood antiseptic agent was developed, with which the Daugava wooden bridge in Riga was impregnated. Emphasis was also placed on the safety of the developed antiseptic composition for the environment.
In the fifties, the synthesis of new medical preparations was successfully developed - the anti-tuberculosis preparation para-aminosalicylic acid PASS, the antimicrobial agent furacilin, the production of which was started by the 3rd pharmaceutical factory in Riga at the beginning of the fifties. Later, research was conducted on the synthesis of biologically active cellulose derivatives.
In 1959/1960 the experimental workshops of Bolderāja gas generators were redesigned for the production of furfural, activated lignin and glycerol, as well as for fractionated wood pyrolysis. The "Riga Hydrolysis Method" for stepwise hydrolysis of polysaccharides was tested in semi-industrial facilities. At the beginning of the 1950s, a method was only developed for the use of tree sap for the production of pine needle vitamin flour, which was a valuable additive for livestock and bird feed. Guidelines for efficient work in sawmills and a new glue for gluing veneers were developed.
In 1974 the scientific journal "Himija drevesini" ("Wood Chemistry") began to be published - the first specialized wood chemistry journal in the USSR and one of four in the world at that time.
Recent developments
Research carried out in the recent decades included:
- development of wood protection products,
- cellulose materials and their recycling,
- enzymatic decolorization methods of aging paper,
- lignin structure investigations and development of new lignin-based products,
- wood materials, improvement of their properties, wood protection and restoration,
- composite materials for thermal and acoustic isolation,
- studies of microbial biomass,
- biorefinery, including hydrothermal, thermochemical, and thermomechanical processing technologies,
- obtaining furfural, acetic acid and other products from wood and agriculture wastes,
- development of smoking agents with a low content of benzopyrene,
- development of biologically active components from cellulose and its derivatives,
- development of food additives containing the natural polymer chitosan for regulation of the digestive system,
- extraction of valuable compounds from various parts of plants,
- environmentally friendly products for horticulture, agriculture and forestry (lignosilicium),
- technology for the production of polyurethane foams, glues, varnishes and coatings.
The research resulted in the implementation of various technologies and products in practice, commercialization and founding of new companies.
It is important to mention that in cooperation with the Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry of Riga Technical University under the supervision of Professor Arnold Alksnis, at the turn of the millenia, a study direction "Complex processing of wood" was created. The course provided training not only in the chemical processing of wood, but also provided insights on how to restore the forest, rationally evaluate and use it. The purpose of the study course was to prepare highly qualified specialists for work in
- plywood production,
- chipboard and fiberboard production,
- wood protection,
- green mass (needle foliage) processing,
- cellulose and paper production,
- charcoal production.
The greatest emphasis was on training young specialists for the planned pulp factory in Ozolsala. The factory was not built, but this course prepared good specialists who built a career in the wood processing industry, in science and pedagogy, as well as in government institutions, not only in Latvia, but across Europe.
When the Institute was founded, it was allocated premises in a part of the building at Smilšu Street 1 (with an entrance from Mazā Kalēju Street). During the years of 1951-1964 the Institute was housed in the "cat house" at Meistaru Street 10. Since 1964, the Institute has been located in its own building on Dzerbenes Street 27. In recent years, the building has been renovated, making it more thermally efficient, and a pilot equipment hangar has been built.
Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry was founded in 1946 under the leadership of Prof. Arvīds Kalniņš, with the original name LPSR ZA Institute of Forestry Issues. Over time, both the name and the legal status of the Institute have changed, and it has been known as derived public person "Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry" since 2007.