News

On March 31, 2025, researchers from our institute demonstrated their innovation potential by submitting a proposal to the BIC Open Innovation Challenge, organized by the Biobased Industries Consortium (BIC) in collaboration with Metsä Group. The challenge topic – Bioproducts from softwood bark – inspired our lignin chemistry laboratory researcher Māris Lauberts to develop and submit a high-potential solution: The transformation of softwood bark into value-added biochemical products that serve as raw materials for the production of widely used biologically derived products. The proposed...

The collaborative research conducted by scientists from the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry and the Center for Physical Sciences and Technology ( Fizinių ir technologijos mokslų centras (FTMC)) in Lithuania has been featured on the cover of the New Journal of Chemistry, Volume 49, Issue 11. The cover artwork, visually interpreting the essence and sustainable innovation potential of the study, was created by artist Lelde Dobele. The study, titled “Synthesis of high-performance multifunctional electrode material using sweetwood lignin as a precursor,” was carried out within the...

This week, our TOMPosite project team visited the Institute of Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (ISSP UL), to discuss potential collaboration opportunities with the Laboratory of Organic Materials. The institute’s state-of-the-art equipment and research expertise may open new application possibilities for the materials developed within the TOMPosite project from renewable raw materials. During the meeting, we learned about the institute’s activities, explored its facilities, and jointly assessed potential areas of cooperation. This meeting marks an excellent step toward...

Ph.D. Errj Sansonetti, researcher at the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, participated in an international conference in Poznań, Poland, focused on the historical significance of non-timber forest products and their potential for sustainable use in today’s bioeconomy. Ph.D. Errj Sansonetti participated in the 2nd General Meeting and Conference of the EU-PoTaRCh (COST Action CA22155) from March 19–21, 2025, in Poznań, Poland. The EU-PoTaRCh initiative aims to connect the historical and future significance of key non-timber forest products. These materials have played a crucial role in...

Imagine cooking a meal – you use vegetables, but throw away the peels and leaves. Wouldn’t it be great if these leftovers could be turned into valuable products? The same applies to the Latvian forestry sector – currently, many valuable resources left over after logging are not fully utilized. The project "Implementing a Full Circular Economy for the Innovative Utilization of Forest Resources in the Bioeconomy" aims to change this by developing new technologies that enable the efficient use of needles, bark, and other by-products of coniferous wood processing. How Will It Work? Just as food...

On March 18, the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry hosted a lecture titled “Textiles, Microplastics, and Us…”, focusing on the environmental and human health impacts of textile production and usage. The lecture covered various textile materials, their properties, and their effects on ecosystems, with particular emphasis on the negative impact of synthetic fibers. Participants learned that 69% of all textiles are synthetic, with polyester being the most commonly used fiber. While durable and cost-effective, polyester contributes significantly to microplastic pollution. The discussion...