Co-funded by:
Mentored by:

Institute

InnoRenew CoE is an independent research institute established in 2017 through the InnoRenew project. Research targets renewable materials and sustainable buildings, specifically innovative approaches to wood and its use, with the goal of transferring scientific knowledge into industrial practice. InnoRenew CoE’s international, interdisciplinary team of scientists and professionals is available for independent consultation, project work or Living Lab InnoRenew collaboration.

Vision

InnoRenew CoE’s vision is to be both a world leader in the interdisciplinary science of the built environment and a model for international research excellence, industrial collaboration and public engagement.

Mission

InnoRenew CoE’s mission is to advance the state of the art in nature-based solutions, especially using wood, that support and accelerate the adoption of regenerative sustainability through:

  • Material and processing advances to optimise efficiency and generate knowledge,
  • Engineered living materials to bring the function and capabilities of living organisms,
  • Design solutions for health and sustainability based on Restorative Environmental and Ergonomic Design (REED).

Advancements in these areas will lead to increased forest sustainability, healthier built environments, and growth in the forest sector.

Key research areas

Wood modification

Thermal, mechanical, and chemical treatment of wood increases its durability and creates more uses in different products and enables the use of wood beyond the traditional applications.

Restorative environmental and ergonomic design (REED)

A restorative design system REED is emphasising the use of natural materials and is creating ergonomic, accessible, adaptable, and sustainable buildings. It has positive impacts on human health and wellbeing, and on the restoration of nature and coherent coexistence of people with the environment and the society.

CoE’s core values

Inclusion and diversity

We build on our inclusion and diversity to enable personal development, creativity and realization of ideas.

Sustainability

We believe that preservation of nature, environmental stewardship and sustainable development will advance human- and nature-friendly economic and social progress.

Integrity

We have personal integrity and integrity in our actions to ensure respect and dignity within our institute and with our partners, collaborators and communities.

Pursuit of excellence

We pursue excellence in all areas – science, industry and community – to bring innovative solutions that address global issues of renewability and sustainability.

Open science

We are committed to open science and engage in the free global exchange of knowledge through open access and dissemination of our research and results.

Amina Selmanović

Assistant researcher

Ryszard Jakub Sandak

Technician

Valentina Hribljan

Researcher

Mihael Berčič

Technician

Anja Černoša

Researcher

Ondřej Dvořáček

Researcher

Wojciech Pajerski

Researcher

Mohammad Derikvand

Researcher

Sonja Jantar

Professional associate for administrative project management

Bogdan Božac

Assistant director

Cuauhtli Campos

Assistant researcher

Karen Butina Ogorelec

Researcher

Ana Gubenšek

Assistant researcher

Urban Kavka

Assistant researcher

Martina Vrhovnik

Assistant researcher

Nataša Bubnič

Professional associate for human resources

Daša Majcen

Researcher

Richard Acquah

Assistant researcher

Sasikala Perumal

Professional associate for copy editing and technician

Albert Kravos

Assistant researcher

Mariem Zouari

Assistant researcher

Lei Han

Assistant researcher

Niki Hrovatin

Assistant researcher

Mateja Erce

Assistant researcher

Silva Poropat Cek

Professional associate for accounting and finances

Miladin Jokić

Asset manager

Kaja Kastelic

Assistant researcher

René Alexander Herrera Díaz

Researcher

Nejc Šarabon

Head of research department - Health

Edit Földvári-Nagy

Assistant researcher and technician

Rok Prislan

Head of research department - Buildings

Josip Dijanić

Technician

Zijada Adembegović Hujdurović

Assistant researcher

Barbara Kotrle

Head of director's office

Nežka Sajinčič

Assistant researcher

Faksawat Poohphajai

Assistant researcher

Gertrud Fábián

Professional associate for information technology

Vesna Starman

Assistant researcher

Jaka Gašper Pečnik

Researcher

Rudi Grahek

Technician - mechanical engineering

Erwin M. Schau

Researcher

Balázs Dávid

Researcher

Michael Mrissa

Researcher

László Hajdu

Researcher

Aarne Johannes Niemelä

Assistant researcher

Marica Mikuljan

Assistant researcher

Miklós Krész

Head of research department - Information processing

Aleksandar Tošić

Researcher

Alijana Batič

Professional associate for administrative project management

Eva Prelovšek Niemelä

Head of research department - Creativity & Society

Tine Šukljan

Head of technical department

Tamara Turk

Professional associate for accounting and finances

Črtomir Tavzes

Researcher

Lea Primožič

Professional associate for public relations

Jakub Sandak

Deputy director and Head of research department - Advanced Manufacturing

Anna Sandak

Deputy director and Head of research department - Materials

Matthew Schwarzkopf

Researcher

Amy Simmons

Professional associate for public relations

Ana Slavec

Researcher

Mike Burnard

Deputy Director

Andreja Kutnar

Director

Our founders

Organisational entities

Assembly of the Founders

Assembly of the Founders of the InnoRenew CoE decides on important strategic decisions.

Executive Board

Executive Board is the managing authority which provides regular guidance and oversight on strategic and investment issues.

Director

Director provides day-to-day management, strategic planning, and implementation of organisational directives.

Director: Andreja Kutnar

Council of Experts

Council of Experts advises on the development of strategies and scientific challenges.

Members of the Council of Experts are:

Living Laboratory InnoRenew CoE

Living Laboratory InnoRenew CoE is connecting academics, researchers, industry members, policy makers, and users together to generate and validate ideas, products, and services.

More about Living Lab InnoRenew CoE

Primary activities of the InnoRenew CoE

  • M72.1 Research and experimental development on natural sciences and engineering
  • M72.110 Research and experimental development on biotechnology
  • M72.190 Other research and experimental development on natural sciences and engineering
  • M72.200 Research and experimental development on social sciences and humanities

InnoRenew CoE is a proud member of these organizations:

We are proud that InnoRenew CoE is a member of:

  • InnovaWood,
  • European Forest Institute,
  • EURAXESS,
  • Strategic Research and Innovation Partnershi SRIP PSIDL,
  • Strategic Research and Innovation Partnership – Networks for the transition into circular economy (SRIP – Circular economy),
  • SIST,
  • Woodrise Alliance,
  • Wood4Bauhaus Alliance,
  • Built4People – People-centric sustainable built environment,
  • New European Bauhaus,
  • Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia,
  • Slovenian Open Science Community,
  • Association of Employers of Slovenia.

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