Bio-based Resources and Materials

How can the valuable raw material wood be used more efficiently? We do research to optimally utilize wood in all its applications: from construction to natural chemical raw materials.

Raw material and production processes affect properties of wood-based products and their impact on man and environment. Consequently, the technologies, products and possible alternatives should be further developed and evaluated scientifically. This comprehensive expertise is essential for objective evaluation and scientific consultation of policy makers, industry and society. Additionally, this expertise is a requirement for innovations to comply with the bioeconomy strategy and for our work on the development of environment-friendly products and processes.

We are working on the following key topics

Multifunctional materials

An efficient utilization of wood combined with our practical and user-oriented research is the basis for a competitive and sustainable manufacture of wood-based products.

Process cascades and material uses of by-products

The increasing demands of renewable resources can only be satisfied if efficient exploitation paths exist.

Resource preservation and material design for innovative recycling systems

Our daily products contain many valuable wood and plastic raw materials. Still many products are much too often burned at the end of their service life. A strategic product design may significantly ease a material recycling.

Substitution of non-renewable materials by biogenic materials

Today, chemical feedstocks and traditional energy carriers are mainly produced from fossil resources. Their depletion and climate change effects due to various conversion processes call for investigation and utilization of renewable resources.