Features Bioeconomy Research & Innovation
Broad range of bioproducts on agenda for Wood Biorefining Week

Green carbon fibre, bioplastics, synthetic fuels and high-tech packaging are some of the futuristic products to be showcased at International Wood Biorefining Week in Stockholm next year, from May 24 to 26.

Both cellulose and lignin can be combined with new technology to produce both new materials and new conditions. Lignin can be transformed into a green carbon fibre that can be used in lightweight products. With the aid of nanotechnology it is also possible to produce durable, lightweight and environmentally compatible cellulose materials.

“Society has big expectations of the forest industry,” explains Mikael Hedlund, editor-in-chief of the industry magazine Nordisk Papperstidning & Biobusiness. “Using the forest raw material as a base, we can create new materials and energy products that help to solve the climate challenge and replace fossil raw materials and fuels.

“Biobased materials and biofuels offer new business opportunities,” he continues.

High-performance materials from the forest can be used in various contexts. During the event, presentations of both nanocellulose and carbon fibre will be presented.

Green carbon fibre in vehicles

The automotive industry is interested in lignin-based carbon fibres for vehicle bodies, interiors and batteries. Green carbon fibre can save both money and the environment in a number of manufacturing processes.

“Look, it’s talking! — Tomorrow’s packaging” is an item on the International Wood Biorefining Week program that focuses on industry’s exploitation of increased digitalisation and built-in electronic systems. The event will bring together the forest industry and end users and present the very latest in electrically conductive cellulose and sensors in packaging.

The forest industry is also on the verge of producing advanced biofuels. Forest companies are an important part of the overall energy system and can play a strategic role in developing a future renewable energy system.

“We regard International Wood Biorefining Week as an important and international meeting place for the entire bio-based forest industry for the purposes of knowledge exchanges, discussions, networking and business contacts in everything to do with issues about the bioeconomy’s innovations and innovators,” says Gustav Melin, CEO of the Swedish Bioenergy Association (Svebio).

International Wood Biorefining Week is jointly organized by Svebio, Adforum, Elmia and Nordisk Papperstidning & Business. The event includes International Pulp & Paper Week, Bioeconomy Innovation Forum and World Bioenergy.

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, a leading research and technology company in the Nordic region, and Innventia, a world-leading research institute that works with innovations based on the forest raw material, are both conference partners for the event.

The conference program will be published shortly at the event’s website, www.iwbweek.com