Skip to main content

Making most of wood in networks

The basis of Finland´s green transition is the forest bioeconomy and the comprehensive utilization of the main and side streams of forestry. The various research and network projects of the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) in the forest bioeconomy are increasing knowledge on, for example, carbon footprint impacts and different product and operational solutions.

Solutions are created in networks

Luke has long been a part of the forest bioeconomy ecosystem of regional operators in Finland's North Karelia. By participating in EU network projects Luke has expanded the ecosystem's network activities to Europe. International networks have increased the flow of information and taught new approaches in the participating countries. 

Research information and new value-added products from cooperation with Japan

Luke has expanded forest bioeconomy network cooperation also to Japan. In 2022, Luke became the first Finnish member to join the Japanese Ministry's Field for Knowledge Innovation Integration network.

A joint innovation ecosystem for wood construction and wood and bio-based products is being developed with the Nagano, Ina and Hokkaido regions. The ecosystem is expected to add value to new wood-based products in the construction sector and by-products in the food and natural products sectors. 

An example of cooperation between Japanese and Finnish wood researchers was realized at the Finnish science center Heureka. There, more than 20,000 visitors have reflected on their wood material preferences with the help of a game-based data collection device, "PuuSensei". At the same time, research information has been produced to benefit the development of wood products.

The know-how developed in network activities concretizes in industrial applications

Combining network activities with Luke's applied research leads to new products and business models. Luke's applied research has led, for example, to the development of bio-based adhesive.

"Network projects have led to solutions for the utilization of wood value chains and side streams of forestry. For example, in industrial wood construction, cooperation has enabled practices that improve profitability and quality of large block buildings", tells Research Professor Erkki Verkasalo.