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Researchers from the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry participated in the 21st Annual Conference of the Northern European Network for Wood Science and Engineering (WSE), which in 2025 gathered more than 130 scientists from 18 countries. Founded in 2004, the WSE network has for two decades served as a platform for collaboration among wood science researchers, institutions, and industry representatives. This year’s thematic conference, “Green Buildings with Renewable Structural Elements and Adhesives,” was dedicated to the use of renewable materials in construction, emphasizing the...

Brewer’s spent grain is one of the largest by-products of the food industry worldwide – its annual volume exceeds 40 million tonnes, with more than 3 million tonnes produced in European breweries alone. Rich in lignocellulose, proteins, and biologically active compounds, brewer’s spent grain represents a valuable yet underutilized resource for green chemistry and bioeconomy applications. Harnessing this potential is at the heart of a new project launched by the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC). Leading researcher Dr.sc.ing. Māris Puķe, together with partners from Ltd. Baltic...

Today, filming took place at the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC) featuring Dr. chem. Laura Andže, recipient of funding under the national long-term research programme BioPhoT, who leads the project “OsteoWood. Next-Generation Birch Wood Solution for Bone Fixation – a Sustainable Pathway from Forest to Functional Implants.” “There are surprisingly many similarities between the structure of wood cells and human cells,” says Dr. chem. Laura Andže, leading researcher at the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry. Both wood and human bone are living, breathing materials – they...

The Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry has joined the European collaboration network ForestValue2, which unites public funding organisations from several countries to promote research and innovation in the forest-based bioeconomy. The Institute’s participation strengthens Latvia’s position within the European Research Area (ERA) and promotes international cooperation in forest science and bioeconomy. “We are soon joining the new initiative — Partnership FOREST, coordinated by EUFORE. Latvia will be clearly represented as a partner country, and the first project calls in our thematic...

Ph.D. Daniela Godiņa, researcher at the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, together with representatives of the Latvijas Koks, visits schools across Latvia to introduce students to exciting wood experiments and a practical learning kit – the “Latvijas Koks” Wood Science Suitcase — a practical kit for natural science experiments with wood. This suitcase is complemented by a methodological teaching material titled “Wood Experiments for Grades 5–12,” designed for natural science, chemistry, and physics teachers. It includes: descriptions of various experiments to be conducted together...

With applause resounding, flowers in bloom, and the silver medals and crystal awards gleaming in the light, Latvia’s most outstanding scientists were honored today in the “Domus auditorialis” hall of Riga Technical University (RTU). At the 66th International Scientific Conference of Riga Technical University, the Scientific Director of the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC), Head of the Polymer Laboratory, and Academician of the Latvian Academy of Sciences (LAS), Dr.sc.ing. Uģis Cābulis, received the Pauls Walden Medal for his outstanding contribution to the development of...