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 bar…

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 met…

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…

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 gener…

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…

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 …

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…

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 …

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 corruga…

This summer, Melker of Sweden partnered up with RISE for an unprecedented venture: employing an industrial robot to print a full-sized kayak, cut open hatches, print on hatch rings, drill holes for deck fasteners, and prepare the hull bottom for milling. In one constant motion.

The use of carbon atoms in various materials and energy carriers has provided the foundation for much of our welfare. Parallel to this, it has brought upon us key challenges in the shape of environmental problems and the climate crisis. We now need to find ways to use carbon-based substan…

Increased use of batteries is crucial for electrification, but the metals they contain also pose problems: difficult to obtain, often found in conflict zones – and ultimately difficult to break down. Swedish company Ligna Energy solves the entire problem by manufacturing batteries from completely n…

Fossil fuel-based plastics, composite materials and aluminium may soon be replaced by a new biomaterial developed by PaperShell in collaboration with RISE. The product is an excellent example of how to quickly take an innovation all the way from idea to industrialisation.

A completely new cellulose-based textile fibre so durable and cheap that it can reduce the textile industry’s carbon footprint. This is what TreeToTextile has succeeded in developing. RISE has been involved throughout the journey – from idea to demo facility.

To ensure energy supply while also achieving global climate goals, fossil fuel energy sources must be replaced with renewable energy. One technology for achieving increased electrification of our vehicles is hydrogen and fuel cell technology.

At RISE, more than 3,000 problem-solvers are tackling some of society’s most pressing challenges. One of these people is André Selander, who has been working as an energy technology researcher for six months.

Is it possible to make new bones in the human body, without bone grafting or bone donation? The answer is yes – when combining nanotechnology, 3D printing, and stem cells, completely new methods can be developed. 

Bio-based raw materials have tremendous potential in replacing fossil-based products. The problem is that with just one planet, the collected bio-based raw materials are not enough. Johanna Mossberg, head of the biorefinery and energy unit at RISE, explains how smarter, more efficient use can give …

In the biotechnology part of the Bioeconomy Arena, which brings together RISE infrastructure and capabilities in the field of bioeconomy, the entire biotechnology process is made available to businesses, entrepreneurs and academia. A food-grade infrastructure allows companies, entrepreneurs and aca…

The transition to fossil-free makes biomass an extremely sought-after raw material, not least in Sweden. But in order for the forest's renewable carbon atoms to go further, more efficient processes are needed in the forest industry, as well as smarter use of residual forestry products. And better p…