Work Package Structure

SuperBark is divided into six work packages, of which WPs 2-6 are operational work packages supported by the project management in WP1.

Objectives:

WP1 ensures the overall management, administration and coordination of the project, and that the project progresses and results are achieved in line with the Grant Agreement and expectations of the call.

Main activities:

Financial and administrative management
Coordination and project management
Ethics management
Data management

WP leader: Marc Borrega, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland

Objectives:

To perform alkaline extraction of softwood barks to provide polyphenols (~25% of bark) and bark residues (35-50% of bark) required for downstream processing into adhesives and coatings formulations.
To develop and optimize a membrane separation protocol to post-treat the alkaline extracts for the recovery and concentration of polyphenols in high yield and high purity.
To develop and optimize the mechanical refining of bark residues into high quality CNF grades for coating applications.To functionalize the bark-based CNF to bring specific properties in the coating applications.

Main activities:

Alkaline extraction from barks
Recovery and concentration of polyphenols from alkaline extracts
Cellulose nanofibril (CNF) production from bark residues

WP leader: Jenni Rahikainen, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland

Objectives:

Development of several strategies for synthesis and formulation of ≥ 95% bio-based adhesives for plywood, particleboard and medium density fiberboard based on polyphenolic compounds from European softwood bark and other bio-based components.
Determination and optimisation of adhesion strength properties of the wood-based products bonded with the bio-based adhesives, and benchmarking to formaldehyde-based adhesives.
Validation of synthesis and functionality of optimised bio-based adhesives through adhesion strength testing of plywood, particleboard and medium density fiberboard.

Main activities:

Develop non-isocyanate polyurethane adhesives
Apply and validate medium density fiberboard adhesives
Apply and validate modified polyphenol-biohardener adhesives
Prepare and validate polyphenol-biofuran-biohardener adhesives

WP leader: Detlef Schmiedl, Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology

Objectives:

To develop and optimize coating formulations for plywood including bark-based CNF to increase scratch resistance, abrasion resistance and hardness.
To develop and optimize coating formulations for plywood including bark-based CNF and polyphenols to increase photo-protective properties and antifungal/antimicrobial resistance.
To develop and optimize coating formulations for packaging paper products including bark-based CNF that provide barrier properties.
To apply the coating formulations to plywood and packaging paper substrates and validate their performance against fossil-based coatings.

Main activities:

Development of coating formulations for wood products
Application and testing of wood coatings for plywood under relevant conditions
Development of coating formulations for packaging paper materials
Application and testing of barrier coated paper under conditions relevant for food packaging

WP leader: Boris Forsthuber, Holzforschung Austria

Objectives:

To conduct SSbD assessment including the following evaluations and integration of results: Environmental Sustainability assessment (LCA and circularity), Chemical Safety assessment, Recyclability and Biodegradability assessment
To complete techno-economic assessment of end-to-end process.
To create an open access online interface for the SD model to support scale-up and market entry.

Main activities:

SSbD methodological framework and evaluation
Environmental sustainability assessment
Chemical Safety assessment
Recyclability and biodegradability assessment
Technical, economic and market evaluation

WP leader: Panagiotis Isigonis, Luxembourg Institute of Science & Technology

Objectives:

To efficiently engage with relevant stakeholders to raise awareness of bark-based material alternatives and their performance, sustainability and circularity, and health & safety profiles by offering fact-based results.
To co-operate closely with other projects funded under the topic as well as other European and national projects with similar objectives.
To efficiently utilise outputs and tools developed by earlier projects in the field as building blocks.
To utilise results for further commercial development, IPR, research and education of future experts.

Main activities:

Create the communication and dissemination plan, channels and materials
Design and implement dissemination activities
Conduct market assessment and exploitation of results

WP leader: Laura Turpeinen, CLIC Innovation