News

Sustainable materials, smart sorbents, valuable sugars from wood, biochar, and carbon electrodes from biomass – these are the current research directions pursued by five postdoctoral researchers at the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry. These projects are part of a broader goal focused on green technology-based bioresources that are efficient, environmentally friendly, and competitive. Get to know each of them and discover how their ideas can become real-world solutions! Ralfs Pomilovskis: Two-Component Bio-Resins for the Automotive and Construction Sectors Project description...

The Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry has been announced as the winner of the first round of the 2025 Open Innovation Competition, organized by the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC)! Our team’s proposed solution focuses on the creative and sustainable valorisation of softwood bark – a byproduct of Metsä Group’s industrial operations. After a thorough evaluation of all submitted proposals, BIC and Metsä Group recognized that the concept submitted by our researcher, Dr. chem. Māris Lauberts, was the most outstanding (*). “We received many interesting solutions, but only one winner...

From June 9 to 13, TReResin researcher Arnis Āboliņš visited the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) at TUD Dresden University of Technology in Germany. The visit took place within the framework of the Green Compass project, in which the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry is a partner. This international initiative brings together European expertise to develop environmentally friendly materials and energy-efficient production processes. Green Compass ( full title: Green materials and energy-efficient processes for circular composite products by utilising...

This year’s Midsummer celebration at the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry was infused with a special spirit — and global recognition. Alongside traditional oak leaf crowns, cheese platters and freshly baked pīrāgi, the institute’s team celebrated two major achievements: the World Packaging Organisation Award presented to Dr. Ilze Irbe, and the Outstanding Paper Award granted to Dr.sc.ing. Jānis Rižikovs for a publication. Global recognition for mycelium-based packaging The mycelium composite material granules, developed by Ilze Irbe, Leading Researcher at the Cellulose Laboratory, are...

On 17 June, researchers from the Biorefinery Laboratory of the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry visited SIA “KRK Vidzeme”, one of the largest charcoal producers in the Baltic region. The aim was to witness firsthand how scientific knowledge in pyrolysis and biomass conversion, developed at the Institute, is being integrated into a real-world industrial process with international outreach and a sustainable approach. KRK Vidzeme exports its high-quality charcoal under the “Marienburg” brand to France, Belgium, Poland, Lithuania, and other countries. The feedstock consists of locally...

On June 11–12, the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry hosted the 3rd General Assembly of the ZEST project, funded by Horizon Europe. Over the course of two days, the project partners: reviewed the progress achieved so far, planned the next steps, and participated in practical workshops to strengthen collaboration. At the end of the meeting, guests explored the broader research activities of the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry beyond the scope of the project. What is ZEST? ZEST aims to use fungal fermentation supported by digital modelling to transform lignocellulosic biomass...