Partners

VTT is one of Europe’s leading research institutions, owned by the Finnish state. We advance the utilisation and commercialisation of research and technology in commerce and society. Through scientific and technological means, we turn large global challenges into sustainable growth for businesses and society. We bring together people, business, science and technology to solve the biggest challenges of our time. This is how we create sustainable growth, jobs and wellbeing and bring exponential hope.

VTT is the coordinator of SuperBark and leads the production of bark-based components (WP2) to be used in development of adhesives and coatings. VTT is also involved in development of bark-based adhesives (WP3).

Fraunhofer ICT main campus, with over 100 laboratories, multiple pilot plants and 3 test centres, is in Pfinztal, Germany. The core competencies of Fh ICT are:

• Chemical Processes (fossil and non-fossil chemistry – catalysed organic/inorganic synthesis, electro-chemistry, chemistry with hazard potential, continuous and microprocess engineering etc.)
• Polymer Engineering (material & formulation development, processing technologies, component development etc.)
• Explosives Technology, Safety and Security (e. g. propellants and explosives development, synthesis, processing and manufacturing, Performance characterization etc.)
• Energy and Drive Systems (Drive systems for mobility, Alternative fuels and energy sources, Batteries, fuel cells and electrolysis systems etc.)

Our customers and project partners include catalysed chemical synthesis/process engineering companies; automotive manufacturers and their suppliers; aviation, construction, plastics processing industry; material manufacturers; recycling companies; companies in the energy and environmental sectors, and customers with safety-related issues.

Fh ICT leads WP 3 and cooperates with partners in the analytically characterisation and chemical modification of polyphenolic extractives from soft wood bark to generate functionalized and chemical reactive intermediates (TRL 3-5) useful for the development of curing systems and thermoset adhesives as well as their characterisation according to ASTM D7998-19 and other Norms.

The Institute of Energy Systems and Environment (IESE), an integral part of Riga Technical University (RTU), has thrived for over two decades as a leading center of excellence. With a workforce of around 100 professionals, it specializes in energy, environment, bioeconomy, and biosystems. This institute actively participates in national and European projects, contributing significantly to scientific advancement and innovation.

At the heart of IESE’s contribution lies the development of online tool, grounded in a robust system dynamics model. This online tool will serve as the project’s digital cornerstone, facilitating dynamic scenario modeling, and interactive decision-making support. Leveraging the power of technology, this tool will empower stakeholders to gain profound insights into complex systems and the potential of bark.

Holzforschung Austria (HFA) is a private, non-profit research institute based in Vienna. Next to wood research and development, we also test, inspect and certify wood products. We also facilitate knowledge transfer between science and business, as well as the general public. In SuperBark, HFA explores the use of bark components in coatings for transportation plywood and plywood in outdoor applications (Lead of WP4). The aim is to develop coatings with more than 95% bio-based ingredients.

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology is a mission-driven Research and Technology Organisation that develops advanced technologies and delivers innovative products and services to industry and society. LIST is the responsible for the application of the Safe and Sustainable by Design framework (WP5) within SuperBark, ensuring that materials to be produced are both safe to use for humans and the environment and sustainable.

The Pulp and Paper Institute (ICP), situated in Ljubljana, Slovenia, is an industry-based research and development institution, specialized in the advanced use of biomass, the development of innovative materials of natural origin, as well as their final products. ICP is skilled in developing new advanced materials for coating fibrous materials which improve barrier properties of paper and has lots of experience in testing new materials, products, and processes.

With its interdisciplinary team and comprehensive research infrastructure (pulping equipment, pilot paper and coating machine and packaging equipment), ICP supports its partners in different value chains developing competitive bio-based materials and end products in the whole process of product development – from idea to a prototype. In SuperBark, ICP is developing bio-based barrier coatings for paper packaging as well as testing their recyclability and biodegradibility.

TECNALIA is the largest centre of applied research and technological development in Spain, a benchmark in Europe and a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance. We collaborate with companies and institutions to improve their competitiveness, people’s quality of life and achieve sustainable growth. TECNALIA contributes to the transformation and development of the society through new biobased and renewable solutions looking for sustainability, and environmental friendly approaches.

CLIC Innovation is an open innovation cluster with the mission of facilitating creation of breakthrough solutions in bioeconomy, circular economy and energy systems. We are owned by leading international companies and Finnish research organizations committed to create sustainable solutions for the world. CLIC leads the communication, dissemination and exploitation activities (WP6) in SuperBark.

With 720 employees, ADLER is Austria’s leading manufacturer of varnishes, paints and wood preservatives. 21,000 tonnes of paint leave the only production site in Schwaz / Tyrol (A) every year and go to customers in more than 30 countries worldwide.

ADLER invests heavily in research and development (120 employees), focusing on sustainable product developments. In SuperBark, ADLER will formulate coatings from the developed raw materials for use in the planned applications.

Metsä Wood is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of engineered wood products. We process valuable log wood into environmentally friendly products for the construction and transport industries, which are both megatrend-driven businesses of the future. Our main products are Kerto® LVL, birch and spruce plywood and further processed sawn timber. Material-efficient wood products store carbon and play an important role in combatting climate change.
In 2022, our sales totalled approximately EUR 0.7 billion, and we have around 1,550 employees. Metsä Wood is part of Metsä Group.

Goričane is an established European manufacturer specializing in small-scale production of lightweight woodfree papers. Goričane operates in the highly specialised segment of small-scale woodfree lightweight papers. A high level of service, flexibility to customer needs and efficient organisation of operations enable the company’s continuous growth. The quality of its paper enables the company to export its products to over 40 countries worldwide, mainly in the EU, Turkey and the Balkans. In recent years, the company has also expanded its sales to more distant countries and regions, such as Russia, Sri Lanka, South America, Israel, South Africa, Algeria and countries in the Middle East.

KEAS produces the raw and melamine coated particle boards, glossy panels, MDF, laminate flooring, door panels and value added products for the needs of the furniture, decoration and construction sectors.

In Superbark, KEAS will send pine bark from Türkiye to VTT-Finland in WP1. KEAS will develop adhesives based on polyphenols/tannin, bio-furans and bio-hardeners (e.g. oxalic and citric acid). These adhesives will be tested using in particle boards. It will supply the developed adhesives to Metsä for testing (WP3).