From Forest to Functional Particles for Life Sciences

Purpose and goal:

The goal of the project is to explore ways to sustainably use wood to optimize the bioeconomy through new raw materials, manufacturing, products, and services. The project focuses on increasing the value added, resource efficiency, and using by-products to create bio-scientific products for personal care and food from lignin and hemicellulose.

Expected results and effects:

Development of new raw materials, manufacturing methods, products, and services using wood side streams in a more resource-efficient and sustainable manner. Exploration of lignin and hemicellulose to create bio-based products for personal care and food.

Establishment of a solid foundation for broader use of lignin and hemicellulose in future life science products, providing data for their legislative approval in food and bringing products to the market via circular economy business models. Approach and implementation:

The FORFUN project involves partners from Finland, Sweden, Germany, and Canada. The University of Helsinki (Kirsi Mikkonen) coordinates the project, which is structured into four work packages. Stockholm University will lead WP2, which concentrates on the colloidal chemistry of lignin and hemicelluloses. A doctoral student recruited to Stockholm University will carry out the work in WP2 and assist with other work packages as outlined in the project plan.