VIOBOND: Innovation Transforming Our Daily Lives
Did you know that many everyday products—such as plywood, sandpaper, and thermal insulation materials—contain resins produced from fossil-based raw materials and toxic substances like phenol and formaldehyde? These compounds can be emitted from materials used in our homes and workplaces, adversely affecting air quality and human health.
The VIOBOND project, coordinated by Latvijas Finieris A/S, offers a sustainable solution: bio-based resins. These resins utilize lignin—a natural, renewable by-product of wood processing. The project’s objective is to develop high-performance bio-based adhesives and resin systems that reduce reliance on fossil-derived raw materials.
To foster collaboration and assess progress, a General Assembly meeting was held on April 9, 2025, in Vic, Spain, organized by the Universitat de Vic (UVic). Project partners from across Europe, including the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, participated the Head of the Biorefinery Laboratory Dr. sc. ing. Jānis Rižikovs represented LSIWC. Attendees discussed the project’s achievements and benefits, while UVic showcased its research facilities and capabilities.
In close collaboration with Latvijas Finieris A/S, LSIWC’s Biorefinery and Lignin Chemistry Laboratories are characterizing various kraft and biorefinery lignins using advanced analytical methods, including analytical pyrolysis. New techniques are also being developed to characterize the molecular weight and curing behavior of lignin-phenol-formaldehyde resins, as well as to perform calorimetric analyses. LSIWC’s contributions aim to understand lignin’s behavior in resin systems, which is crucial for developing high-performance bio-based adhesives.
As part of the project, construction has commenced in Riga on a new resin production plant. This facility will serve as a practical example of implementing bio-based innovations, demonstrating how industrial symbiosis can lead to climate-neutral manufacturing. Learn more about VIOBOND and how this project is shaping our future: here.
