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The scope of research carried out within the National Research Programme Forest4LV extends beyond forest ecosystem protection to include the processing and conversion of forest resources into higher value-added products. This second article in the series focuses on three studies that examine forest biomass as a multifunctional feedstock in wood chemistry, biorefining, and the development of new materials. The studies highlight different stages of forest resource utilisation, ranging from the chemical transformation of birch bark and lignocellulosic fractions to the development of bio-based...

On 14 January 2026 at 10:00, a seminar dedicated to polyurethane chemistry and technologies will take place at the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, with a particular focus on sustainable, functional and environmentally friendly materials. The seminar will feature presentations by researchers from the National Research Council of Italy (CNR – Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche), the largest public research institution in Italy, which carries out interdisciplinary research covering both fundamental science and industrial applications. Speakers Letizia Verdolotti Dr. Letizia Verdolotti...

Looking back on 2025 at the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, we recall with pleasure and pride a number of significant results achieved by our scientists and laboratories. These outcomes reflect the Institute’s research quality, publication intensity, cooperation with industry, and contribution to the Institute’s overall development. The achievements highlight both individual professional growth and teamwork, which together shape the Institute’s scientific performance. The year 2025 is also closely associated with the work of Dr.sc.ing. Uģis Cābulis, whose research activities were...

At the final conference of the State Research Programme Forest4LV , held in December, ten posters by researchers of the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC) were presented, reflecting the diversity of research carried out within the programme — from forest ecosystem protection to the development of new bio-based materials. In this series of articles, we introduce the most significant research results and their practical relevance. The study by Dr. sc. ing. Oskars Grīgs addresses an issue of key importance for forest health – the control of root rot – by analysing the cultivation...

On 10 December 2025, the final conference of the State Research Programme “GreenAgroRes” and “Forest4LV” took place in Jelgava, bringing together researchers from the agriculture, food production and forestry sectors, policymakers, industry representatives and the wider public. The aim of the event was to critically assess what had been achieved in a very short period – just 16 months – and to outline the next steps for the development of Latvia’s bioeconomy. Conference Opening The conference was opened by a video address from Minister of Agriculture Armands Krauze, who highlighted the...

On 9–10 December, Dr. chem. Kristīne Meile, Leading Researcher at the Biorefinery Laboratory of the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC), represented the institute at the Horizon Europe brokerage event “Bio-based Future Connect”, held at the NCBR Office in Brussels. The event was organised by the French and Polish National Contact Points (NCPs) for Horizon Europe to foster knowledge exchange and collaboration among both experienced and emerging stakeholders within Horizon Europe Cluster 6, which focuses on the circular economy and the bioeconomy. Over two days, participants...