Researchers from the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry and Representatives of “Fibenol” Visit Valmiera Technical School

As part of Vidzeme Innovation Week 2025, Valmiera Technical School hosted the event “Wood Biorefining – Innovation in Latvia’s Bioeconomy.” In the first part of the event, Dr. Daniela Godiņa, a researcher from the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, and Mg. chem. Matīss Pāls delivered presentations. In the second part, an informative lecture was given by Merili Palu, a board member of Fibenol Latvia, a subsidiary of the Estonian biorefining company Fibenol, together with Fibenol’s bioprocess project manager Raul Rinken.

The Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, as a center of excellence in the Baltic bioeconomy, actively promotes biorefining and advances the use of wood as an environmentally and human-friendly material in construction, laying the foundation for future industries. To introduce the fundamental principles of biorefining, Daniela Godiņa and Matīss Pāls provided Valmiera Technical School students with a lecture on biorefining methods and wood processing products developed at the institute. The event featured visual materials with real samples from the institute’s laboratories, along with a demonstration of the production of rigid polyurethane foam from natural materials.

Raul Rinken, Fibenol’s bioprocess project manager and a recognized scientist in lignin research, presented the company’s latest achievements in the biorefining sector and Fibenol’s role in the bioeconomy. To conclude, Merili Palu, Fibenol Latvia’s board member, discussed future plans for the Valmiera Industrial Park area.

Jānis Baiks, Chairman of Valmiera Municipality, outlined the development opportunities for Valmiera Industrial Park and emphasized the importance of preparing a qualified workforce in the Vidzeme region.

Fibenol is a clean technology company developing innovative and patented technologies that convert lower-quality hardwood into functional bioproducts. These bioproducts serve as an alternative to fossil-based materials, which have a significant negative environmental impact and are non-renewable. During the project’s implementation, it is expected to save more than 4 million tons of CO₂ equivalent emissions.

Since 2024, the company has been actively working on its development plan and sees great potential for expansion in Latvia, particularly in the Valmiera Industrial Park area, where it plans to establish a commercial-scale biorefinery. The facility could commence operations by 2030, creating an innovation cluster that will attract investments and promote research in the bioeconomy sector. The total investment in the project is estimated at €600–700 million, potentially generating up to 100 direct and 600 indirect jobs. Fibenol stands out with its transparent supply chain and develops products such as LIGNOVA™ lignin, C5 sugars, and biogas.

(Source: valmierastehnikums.lv)