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Yesterday, at the Latvian Circular Economy Forum 2025, the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC) held a session titled “From Birch Bark to the Future of Mycelium”, where scientists together with an industry representative showcased how biotechnology and wood chemistry are transforming into tangible circular solutions. Moderator Dr. Jānis Rižikovs opened the discussion with the thought that circularity means “seeing resources where once there were wastes or low-value by-products”, emphasizing the role of Latvian scientists in converting biological resources into high-value materials...

On 24 November, the first BioPhoT conference “BioPhoT - Latvia's Innovation Launchpad” will take place. It will introduce the biomedical and photonics industry, science policy makers and the scientific community to the innovation projects launched in Latvia and the future plans of the platform, offer insights into a number of international success stories in the sector, and stimulate expert discussions on the importance of developing innovation in a broader context. “BioPhoT is not just a project - it's a reform to help Latvia's scientific ideas become products with a real impact on people's...

The day after tomorrow, on November 5, researchers from the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry and Māris Būmanis, Member of the Board and Head of Development and Research at Latvijas Finieris, will take part in the Latvian Circular Economy Forum. In the LSIWC session “From Birch Bark to the Future of Mycelium,” we will reveal how natural resources found in Latvia’s forests are transformed into next-generation materials — from mycelium biocomposites to birch bark derivatives already used in cosmetics and construction. In the second part of the session, special attention will be devoted...

On 23–24 October, Liepāja hosted the first seminar within the framework of the MarTe – Marine Technology Excellence Hub for Sustainable Blue Economy in the Baltics project, which brings together policymakers, research organisations, industry representatives, and NGOs from Latvia and Estonia working in the field of the blue economy. The Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC) was represented by Dr. Oskars Bikovens, who took part in collaboration community discussions on the use of marine living resources and the development of a sustainable blue economy in the Baltic region. “The...

On 28 October 2025, in the Bolderāja district of Riga, the topping-out ceremony was held for the new synthetic resin mill of JSC Latvijas Finieris Chemical Products Plant. “The topping-out ceremony marks a significant stage in construction, when a symbolic green wreath is raised above the building to celebrate the completion of the main structural works. Although much remains to be done before the resin mill is fully completed, this day represents an important milestone – from the foundations to the roof, the project is now clearly visible and will soon become part of the bioeconomy and a...

On October 28, the National Library of Latvia hosted the first of three discussions dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Latvian Association of Young Researchers (LJZA). The discussion series, organized in cooperation with the National Library, focuses on the interaction between science and society, inviting reflection on how to make science a driving force for the country’s development. The first discussion, titled “Science Policy – a Springboard or a Setback for Latvia’s Growth?”, brought together representatives from various fields — Professor Kristaps Jaudzems (University of Latvia)...