Latvian State Institute Of Wood Chemistry

Development of knowledge-based, environment-friendly low-waste technologies for obtaining competitive materials and products from wood and other types of plant biomass for sustainable utilization of natural resources for economic, social and ecological benefits. The LSIWC research themes’ priorities embrace practically all fields related to the utilization of wood and lignocellulose biomass and are based on interdisciplinary theoretical wood and lignocellulosic materials studies on the molecular and nano-level. The main areas of research are: ^structure, bio- and weathering durability, degradation mechanisms of wood and wood based materials by microorganisms and under environmental impact, methods for improving their sustainability properties (including modification and surface protection) to enhance competitiveness with non-renewable building materials; ^biorefinery approaches, development of technologies for wasteless cascade use of wood components for obtaining chemical compounds, composite and hybrid materials and added value products designed for the food industry, agriculture, pharmacy, healthcare, etc.; ^rational use of woodworking, wood and biomass processing residues for innovative multifunctional products (including fiber and insulation materials) for agriculture, building, the transport field, forestry and environment protection.