Articles on bio-based materials

The tyres on our cars and the ink in our office printers contain carbon black, a chemical manufactured with a significant climate impact. Researchers at RISE were the first in the world to develop a special method of producing black carbon powder that is more environmentally friendly.

Does start-up Reselo have the answer to fossil-free rubber? The company's material is already used for shoe soles – and together with a manufacturer it is now being adapted for tyre production, which accounts for 70% of the world's rubber consumption. "The material is made entirely from birch bark and can be incorporated into existing production processes," says Josefin Larsson, CPO at Reselo.

The plastics in our children's toys, the synthetic fibres in our clothes and the ingredients in the salve we use to lubricate our hands. The common denominator? The products contain chemicals of fossil origin that need to be phased out. Green chemicals is the key.

Plastic can be highly damaging to the environment thus replacing it with entirely new bio-based materials could be one solution to reducing environmental impact. In the future, fibre-based foam could be used in everything from packaging and furniture to cars and houses.

The life sciences industry aims to improve human health. At the same time, the sector is responsible for a significant climate impact. And the transition faces particular challenges. "We in the research community can help to better understand what can be changed and provide relevant assessment methods and tools. This will help focus efforts where they are needed and where they will be most effective," says Björn Gregertsen at RISE.

By 2030, IKEA intends for all the plastic used in their products to be recycled or renewable. With the hope of developing new sustainable solutions through cross-border collaboration along the entire value chain, IKEA has entered into partnership with the National Center for Sustainable Plastics at RISE.

Five massive wave-shaped benches crafted from biobased materials, designed to withstand lakeside weather and winds for years to come. Could they be 3D printed? Yes, said Fraunhofer. With a little help from a friend.

The unique laboratory in Stockholm generates a lot of data every year to investigate the effect of environment and genetics on wood properties together with other institutes and universities. At the same time, the laboratory is constantly developing its ability to analyse new sample types and generate new data types.

Companies that experiment and collaborate with industry peers to benefit from the latest research will get a head start on the industrial transition. The Bioeconomy research programme is the arena where this happens.

Another step is being taken towards a net-zero emissions future. High-value new construction products made from recycled wood and industrial wood waste residues are being developed. Alternative circular processes are being studied for both new building materials and composite building elements in a newly launched research project.

In Skara, the world's tallest wooden wind turbine tower is currently being erected. Modvion is building the unique wooden structure that reaches a height of 105 metres. Why do you want to replace the commonly used steel with wood?

An industrially manufactured innovative facade system for sustainable renovation for the ROT sector is under development. The goal is a system that is easy for architects to use through a digitized design process in the design and planning process and attractive to different properties' design and appearance based on different cases of additional insulation.

limate change, biodiversity requirements and ecosystem conservation raise questions about the future. What types of wood will we have access to in the future? RISE has examined the potential of our third most common tree species, birch, and our third coniferous species, contorta pine, as structural timber.

Can spent yeast from beer brewing be used to replace fossil-based raw material in adhesives? This is being investigated in the Reflows project, which uses waste yeast from breweries to produce adhesives adapted for wood and paper applications in a circular way.

In the field of wood technology at RISE, many individual activities are ongoing, but they are also parts of a whole to support the development of a circular wood value chain. By creating a circular wood value chain, we utilize raw materials in the best possible way, which is a prerequisite for the continued development of the wood sector.

Corrugated board is the world's most widely used transport packaging. But it is not without its challenges. Its production requires a lot of wood fibre and the finished packaging can be damaged by moisture and pressure. Stora Enso launched a research project to improve the sustainability of corrugated board – in two ways: by using stronger paper and less raw material.