TalTech Representatives Visit LSIWC: From Lignin to Aviation Fuel – An Exchange of Ideas and Knowledge

At the end of May, the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry welcomed a group of students and early-stage researchers from Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech). The aim of the visit was to strengthen cooperation in the field of bioeconomy, share research ideas, and explore the institute’s laboratories and infrastructure.

LSIWC researchers Ph.D. Daniela Godiņa, Dr.sc.ing. Oskars Grīgs, Dr.sc.ing. Māris Puķe, and Mg.chem. Matīss Pāls led the guests on a tour of the institute’s facilities, presenting key research directions—from lignocellulosic biorefining and composite material development to microbial cultivation and lignin chemical modification. The visit fostered active scientific dialogue and valuable knowledge exchange.

TalTech Presentations: Innovative Approaches in Bioconversion and Materials Science

Bio-Based Aviation Fuel
Students Anvarshu Gopal and Hoàng Anh Nguyên presented their research on engineering Rhodotorula toruloides to produce terpenes as precursors for sustainable aviation fuels. The project involved peroxisomal targeting sequence analysis, CRISPR/Cas9, and Golden Gate Assemblies to reprogram ABC transporters for enhanced metabolic flux.

Lignin-Based Fillers for PLA Composites and 3D Printing
Muhammad Faisal Afridi, Muhammad Afaq Khan, and Ayesha Ghazanfar introduced their work on optimizing PLA–lignin composites using ³¹P NMR, FTIR, and Central Composite Design (CCD). The resulting filaments were successfully applied in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing, and evaluated using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and green chemistry metrics.

Lignin Valorization at TalTech
The presentation by senior researcher Dr. Yevgen Karpichev offered an in-depth overview of research activities within TalTech’s Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering group. Dr. Karpichev, who earned his PhD in Ukraine (2002), has held visiting research and professorial positions in the USA, Canada, France, Czech Republic, and Brazil. A recognized expert in organic and physical chemistry, he served as Senior Research Scientist under the ERA Chair of Green Chemistry at TalTech from 2015 to 2019, and since 2019 has led the group as Principal Investigator.

Dr. Karpichev's, research areas include:

• Lignin-based aerogels, thermoplastics, bio-adhesives, and functional coatings;
• Enzyme engineering, particularly using thermophilic laccases and actinobacterial metalloenzymes;
• Development of lignin-based antibacterial, catalytic, and traceable materials;
• Implementation of green chemistry metrics (e.g., CHEM21) and structural biology methods such as X-ray crystallography and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS).

Dr. Karpichev’s presentation demonstrated the potential of lignin as a platform molecule for the development of next-generation sustainable materials and biotechnological solutions.

Synergy Between Institutions

The TalTech presentations showcased an interdisciplinary approach that bridged microbiology, organic chemistry, materials science, and environmental engineering. This visit not only strengthened researcher collaboration but also marked a significant step toward future joint efforts in developing sustainable materials and innovative biorefinery solutions.