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The Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC) is currently hosting Professor Carol Sze Ki Lin from City University of Hong Kong (CityU HK) for a two-month research visit. Professor Lin, who has been included among the world’s top 2% of most-cited scientists in the fields of biotechnology and environmental science since 2020, is working together with LSIWC researchers to develop sustainable and fire-safe polyurethane materials using renewable and waste-derived feedstocks. The international research collaboration has already been covered by Times Higher Education , a leading global media...

On 10 September, the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC) hosted the opening event of the State Research Programme (SRP) “Adaptive Forest Management in Latvia: An Integrated Route to Ecosystem Resilience, Biodiversity, Bioeconomy and Economic Security (ForestRoute-LV)” . Representatives of science, public administration and the forestry sector outlined the programme’s key objectives and planned implementation, and discussed current issues in forest management in Latvia. The event was opened by Uģis Cābulis, Scientific Director of the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry and...

On September 1, the FIBRIX project ( Forest Integrated Biomass Refining for Innovation and Excellence ) officially got underway with the first project partner meeting in Savonlinna, Finland. Over the next three years, nine partners from six countries will work together to develop solutions for more efficient use of forest biomass. The Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC) will lead one of the project’s work areas, focusing on biomass conversion and fractionation. In addition to participating in the FIBRIX partner meeting, LSIWC representatives took the opportunity to visit LUT...

On 8 September, the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry hosted the seminar “An Inclusive and Respectful Workplace in Everyday Life”, focusing on how to foster an open, respectful and inclusive workplace through everyday communication. During the seminar, we discussed how stereotypes and prejudices are formed, how they can influence our perceptions and decisions, and how to recognise them in everyday situations. Particular attention was also given to automatic reactions and assumptions, which are not always conscious but can influence how we perceive others and communicate with one...

Public voting for the finalists of the European Commission’s “RegioStars 2026” competition is now open! We invite you to support the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC) project “Birch Bark – Latvia’s Green Gold” and vote for it by 12:00 noon on 14 October this link , by selecting Category 2, “A GREEN EUROPE”. The LSIWC project is one of five finalists in the “A GREEN EUROPE” category, which highlights solutions that contribute to the green transition and regional development. This year, the competition received 274 project applications from across Europe, with only 25 projects...

From 24 to 27 August, the 6th International Conference “BiPoCo 2026” (Biobased Polymers and Composites) took place in Budapest, Hungary. The conference was attended by Ugis Cabulis , Scientific Director and Leading Researcher at the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC), as well as Leading Researchers Aiga Ivdre and Mikelis Kirpluks. They presented research on the use of renewable feedstocks, waste recycling and the development of new sustainable materials, while also contributing to the conference’s scientific programme. Research presentations and achievements Mikelis Kirpluks...