Maria Kulp

Wood is Estonia's most important bio-based raw material, the skilful processing of which creates high added value, carbon binding products. Today, Estonian universities do not have a unified action plan and infrastructure for coordinated research and development (R&D) and for offering industrial solutions throughout the entire value chain. Therefore, the infrastructure is created for linking 14 structural units of 8 institutes of 3 universities. This synergy enables to carry out interdisciplinary, high quality R&D activities of wood valorisation. The infrastructure creates new opportunities for training young researchers and provides a strong base for international cooperation. An integrated contact point will be created for effective marketing of services of the infrastructure. R&D of the infrastructure covers mechanical, chemical, biochemical and thermochemical valorisation of primary and secondary wood and can take the Estonian wood science and industry to a new development level.

The ReDESign project focuses on the production of high-purity lignin and on developing a technology for recovering the green solvent needed for this process. Lignin is generated in large amounts as a by-product of the pulp industry, but it is mostly used as a low-value fuel. At the same time, purified lignin could serve as a raw material for higher value products such as composite materials, carbon materials, and other advanced bio-based products. The aim of the project is to develop a method that enables efficient regeneration and recycling of the deep eutectic solvent (DES) used in lignin purification. The expected results include a workable solvent reuse concept, improved understanding of the process chemistry, and a basis for creating an industrially applicable technology. In Estonia, this can support smarter use of biomass, promote the circular economy, and create new opportunities for developing high-value materials and technologies.

Wood or lignocellulosic biomass more generally, is a readily available renewable resource, offering sustainable solutions for our growing human population. The core wood polymers - cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin - serve as fundamental components, extending beyond paper production to produce valuable wood sugars, textile fibers, thermoplastics, and fine chemicals. In our project, we are developing enzyme technologies utilizing extremophilic microbe-derived enzymes to break down and modify lignin, remove toxic phenolic compounds, convert cellulose into wood sugars, and advance enzyme-catalyzed cellulose technologies. Additionally, the project focuses on advancing technologies for converting kraft, hydrolysis (and organosolv) and synthetic lignins into porous materials, thermoplastics, and cutting-edge catalysts.