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The Latvian Council of Science has completed the administrative evaluation of the second round of the research and innovation project competition. A total of 74 proposals with high innovation potential have been forwarded for scientific assessment by international experts. These projects mark the next stage in the development of Latvian science, highlighting its capacity to address critical challenges for society and the national economy. The proposals represent 11 smart specialisation areas and cover 14 scientific fields, with a strong emphasis on engineering, natural sciences, and health...

Modern materials science seeks to develop solutions that are both technologically effective and environmentally responsible. Wood fibres, as a natural and renewable resource, have long been studied as a promising raw material for composite manufacturing. However, their broader application has been limited by a key challenge: poor compatibility with synthetic polymers. This is mainly due to the different polarities of the materials and the presence of resins in softwood fibres, which can adversely affect the performance of wood-polymer composites (WPCs). In the Forest4LV project, researchers at...

Since 2020, when Latvia became an Associate Member of the European Space Agency (ESA), national research and technology institutions have gained the opportunity to participate in high value-added international projects. One of the most prominent examples in this context is the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, with over 75 years of expertise in biomass processing and the development of functional materials. LSIWC's competencies cover a broad range of directions, including the development of bio-based polymers, binders, and composite materials, tailored for high-performance...

For years, synthetic herbicides and plastic mulch have promised yields, yet at the cost of degrading soil health, biodiversity, and public trust in food safety. Moreover, weeds are responsible for 30–40% yield loss in crops and facilitate the spread of pests and diseases ( Kostina-Bednarz et al., 2023). While synthetic weed control products are still widely used, there is growing demand for sustainable, environmentally friendly alternatives that prevent herbicide resistance and safeguard healthy soils for future generations. Researchers at LSIWC are asking a different question: has nature...

The Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry has joined Pilots4U – a European database and collaboration platform that connects open-access pilot and demonstration facilities for the validation of biobased technologies. LSIWC has registered its pilot-scale units, offering access to scalable technologies ranging from feedstock preparation to biomass conversion processes at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4–6. The institute’s Pilot-Scale Hangar hosts an integrated technological infrastructure that includes equipment for feedstock preparation (coarse and vibratory mills, sieving systems...

The Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry has joined the ambitious European research project 4Sir2 ( “Building a Healthy Drink Ecosystem to Prevent Childhood Obesity”), which aims to develop an innovative functional fruit-based beverage designed to help prevent childhood obesity. At the heart of the project lies the valorisation of grape pomace – specifically the resveratrol and polyphenols found in grape skins – which have been shown to activate sirtuins, a group of genes involved in metabolism and obesity regulation. The resulting 4Sir2 Smoothie will not only be natural and healthy but...