- PROJECT CODE: V4-2512
- PROJECT TITLE: Simulation and optimisation of potential valorization routes for lower quality wood in Slovenia
- PROJECT TEAM: dr. Balázs Dávid (leader), dr. Črtomir Tavzes, Lea Primožič, dr. Andreja Kutnar, dr. Miklós Krész
- PERIOD: 1. 9. 2025 – 31. 11. 2026
- BUDGET: 40.000,00 € (31.564,00 € za InnoRenew)
- FINANCING: ARIS, MGTŠ
- PROJECT COORDINATOR: InnoRenew CoE
- PARTNERS: InnoRenew CoE; University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical faculty; Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport
Global climate crisis has an increasingly negative effect on both economy and society and dealing with this requires decisive actions. The European Union (EU) has developed several strategies in response, such as the European Green Deal or the “Fit for 55” legislative package. Countries of the EU are therefore required to significantly reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, these goals can only be achieved through transformative changes across multiple sectors. One potential and cost-effective pathway to reducing emissions is the increased use of wood-based products made from renewable and reusable biomass – particularly lower-quality wood resources.
Slovenia is well-positioned in this transition, as it is a country with a rich forest stock, high annual wood increment, and long-standing tradition of sustainable forest management. Yet, more than 30% of the harvested forest assortments are classified as lower-quality wood. Presently, this wood is primarily used for energy production, which limits its potential to contribute to both the national economy and environmental targets. In contrast, material use of such wood—especially in durable products with a long lifespan—offers substantial carbon sequestration and substitution effects. This means a lower CO₂ emission compared to producing and using products from fossil-based or energy-intensive materials.
The goal of the proposed research project is to increase the economic and environmental potential of lower-quality wood in Slovenia. This will be done through the identification of high-value transformation pathways for such wood into products with greater added value and longer service life. By doing so, Slovenia can improve domestic biomass utilization, reduce its carbon footprint, and enhance the competitiveness of its forest-based industries. The current state and availability of lower-quality wood in Slovenia will be studied, as well as best practices from Slovenia and selected European countries for managing and processing this resource. Integration opportunities will be explored for post-consumer and waste wood into new processing streams and a portfolio of economically viable products for domestic production from lower-quality wood will be proposed.
Through the use of both simulation and mathematical optimization models, the project will also develop a data-driven decision-support tool for optimizing production, investments and policies in the processing of lower-quality wood in hopes of transitioning to a low-carbon, high-value-added economy.
