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Projects / Programmes source: ARIS

Forest-wood value chain and climate change: transition to circular bioeconomy

Periods
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2027
Research activity

Code Science Field Subfield
4.01.00  Biotechnical sciences  Forestry, wood and paper technology   

Code Science Field
4.01  Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences  Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 
Keywords
forest-wood value chain, silviculture, climate change mitigation, tree species composition, wood properties and structure, timber quality, enhanced materials, biocomposites, construction wood, digitalisation, bioeconomy
Evaluation (rules)
source: COBISS
Points
7,486.79
A''
861.61
A'
3,740.6
A1/2
4,778.12
CI10
7,268
CImax
383
h10
41
A1
26.2
A3
7.27
Data for the last 5 years (citations for the last 10 years) on April 25, 2024; A3 for period 2018-2022
Data for ARIS tenders ( 04.04.2019 – Programme tender, archive )
Database Linked records Citations Pure citations Average pure citations
WoS  389  8,513  7,144  18.37 
Scopus  415  9,263  7,894  19.02 
Researchers (24)
no. Code Name and surname Research area Role Period No. of publicationsNo. of publications
1.  51924  PhD Domen Arnič  Forestry, wood and paper technology  Junior researcher  2022 - 2023  62 
2.  35407  PhD Boris Azinović  Civil engineering  Researcher  2022 - 2024  75 
3.  54058  PhD Arnaud Maxime Cheumani Yona  Forestry, wood and paper technology  Researcher  2022  21 
4.  34320  PhD Gal Fidej  Forestry, wood and paper technology  Researcher  2022 - 2024  86 
5.  22609  PhD Jožica Gričar  Forestry, wood and paper technology  Head  2022 - 2024  540 
6.  56997  Peter Horvat  Forestry, wood and paper technology  Junior researcher  2022 - 2024 
7.  16329  PhD Luka Juvančič  Plant production  Researcher  2022  423 
8.  53233  PhD Luka Krajnc  Forestry, wood and paper technology  Researcher  2022 - 2024  94 
9.  17333  Robert Krajnc    Technical associate  2022 - 2024  56 
10.  12796  PhD Janez Krč  Forestry, wood and paper technology  Researcher  2022 - 2024  317 
11.  37425  PhD Davor Kržišnik  Forestry, wood and paper technology  Researcher  2022 - 2024  187 
12.  57265  Luka Naumovski  Civil engineering  Junior researcher  2023 - 2024  15 
13.  55853  Ana Novak  Plant production  Junior researcher  2022 - 2024  30 
14.  58171  Iza Petek  Forestry, wood and paper technology  Junior researcher  2023 - 2024 
15.  22576  PhD Anton Poje  Forestry, wood and paper technology  Researcher  2022 - 2024  146 
16.  35412  PhD Andreja Pondelak  Materials science and technology  Researcher  2022 - 2024  98 
17.  06473  PhD Igor Potočnik  Forestry, wood and paper technology  Researcher  2022 - 2024  265 
18.  29428  PhD Peter Prislan  Forestry, wood and paper technology  Researcher  2022 - 2024  352 
19.  21043  PhD Dušan Roženbergar  Forestry, wood and paper technology  Researcher  2022 - 2024  231 
20.  10264  PhD Primož Simončič  Forestry, wood and paper technology  Researcher  2022 - 2024  702 
21.  56863  Matic Sitar  Civil engineering  Junior researcher  2022 - 2024 
22.  53019  Gregor Skoberne    Technical associate  2022 - 2024 
23.  18149  PhD Aleš Straže  Forestry, wood and paper technology  Researcher  2022 - 2024  348 
24.  37804  PhD Jure Žigon  Biotechnical sciences  Technical associate  2022 - 2024  198 
Organisations (3)
no. Code Research organisation City Registration number No. of publicationsNo. of publications
1.  0404  Slovenian Forestry Institute  Ljubljana  5051673000  12,023 
2.  0481  University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty  Ljubljana  1626914  66,844 
3.  1502  Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute  Ljubljana  5866324000  10,455 
Abstract
Despite a high share of forest cover and abundant natural resources, Slovenia's forests remain underutilized, which has also been recognized by policy makers. Consequently, several actions have been taken recently aiming at strengthening sustainable (local) forest-based value chains, from the tree in the forest to the final product with high added value. The overall objective of this research programme is to identify current challenges along the entire forest-based value chain and to search for optimal solutions by using all available knowledge and resources (laboratories and databases). To facilitate the work, the programme is divided into five working groups (WGs) covering all planned activities. In each WG, 3-5 objectives are defined, describing the main activities of the respective research programme: - WG1: Modern silviculture for higher-quality forest products - WG2: Wood properties and improved wood-based materials - WG3: Efficient use of wood in construction - WG4: Forest- and wood-based bioeconomy - WG5: Project management and dissemination. Researchers from three research organizations form the proposed research group to ensure the cross-sectoral (forestry, wood science and timber construction) and innovative approach to achieve the set objectives and to link the group with industry. The underlying theme of all WGs is the exchange of know-how and research ideas between researchers with different backgrounds. Their high professional and well-equipped laboratories ensure complete feasibility of the proposed programme, which is original, complex and interdisciplinary. The contribution of forest-based industries to the national economy can be increased by: (I) sustainable management, (II) protection of forest resources and biodiversity, and (III) use of economically viable and environmentally and socially sound wood-based products. In particular, the set objectives of the programme will contribute to: o Development of analytical methods and accumulation of knowledge, which will enhance exchange and knowledge transfer with the world scientific community. o Building (inter)national capacity to strengthen sustainable forest-based value chains taking into account sustainable forest management and climate change issues. o Increased knowledge of wood quality and properties (chemical, physical, mechanical) as a function of tree growth conditions. o Use of advanced and new technologies and processes to develop new wood-based materials and transition to a circular economy. o New information on the micro and macro-mechanical properties of wood and laminated wood products, contributing to fundamental knowledge in the fields of study. o Improved cooperation and communication among stakeholders along the forest-based value chain, leading to higher yields of wood products with higher added value (transformation from a ""low-tech"" industry to a ""high-tech"" industry); increased resilience of the value chain.
Significance for science
The overall objective of this research programme is to address current challenges along the entire forest-wood value chain (i.e., from standing trees in the forest to final products) and to search for optimal solutions by using all available knowledge and resources. The significance of the expected results of the research programme for the development of science and profession are as follows: o The development and exchange of analytical methods and the accumulation of scientific knowledge in the field of forestry, wood science and timber construction in the proposed programme will enhance the exchange and knowledge transfer with the world scientific community. o Development of new research approaches to link silvicultural treatment in the forest and the end forest product, which will significantly increase the resilience of the entire forest-wood value chain. o Increased knowledge of wood quality and properties as a function of tree growth conditions. o Chemical and physical-mechanical characterization of wood in relation to tree growth conditions. o Use of advanced and new technologies and processes to develop new wood-based materials and transition to a circular economy. o New information on the micro and macro-mechanical properties of wood and laminated wood products, which will contribute to fundamental knowledge in the fields of wood science; renewable materials and sustainability; mechanics; adhesion and adhesive science and structural engineering. o Improved cooperation and communication among stakeholders across the forest-based value chain, leading to higher yields of wood products with higher added value. o The implementation of the results would contribute to the transformation of the wood-based sector (i.e., the wood processing industry) from what is now considered a ""low-tech"" industry to a ""high-tech"" industry with high added value products.
Significance for the country
By supporting sustainable management and comprehensive protection of forest resources and biodiversity, and by applying research results to environmentally sound, socially acceptable and economically viable wood-based products and processes, the research programme aims to increase the contribution of forest-based industry to the national economy. Potential impacts of the expected results of the research programme on economic development are as follows: o Supporting sustainable and multifunctional forest management to harmonize ecological demands on forest species with economic aspect of wood as a material source. o The proposed mineralisation process will contribute to longer wood life, reduced logging and lower costs due to reduced consumption of wood preservatives. Cross-sectoral collaboration will offer knowledge and create mutual benefits resulting in added value via a wide range of renewable products. It will contribute to a more flexible and stable biomass supply chain. o The results will impact the forestry sector towards increased revenues (wood-based products in general, and of laminated glued timber products in particular) due to more efficient resource use in construction. It will result in strengthened competitiveness of the forest/wood sector in Slovenia, also on EU/ global markets. o Strengthening wood-based bioeconomy at national level: an analysis of the multiplicative effects of the introduction of new technology (digital solutions) will also help to understand the changing macroeconomic indicators. All relevant results will be interpreted so they can help in decision-making at the policy level and in the case of eventual investment. o Supporting sustainable (local) forest-wood value chains: to generate employment and economic growth; to use of low-quality wood for energy purposes; to promote use of wood as a renewable natural resource; to improve data integration and digital technologies for forest-wood supply chain; to develop new wood-based products with high added value, which store carbon and can be recycled. o By linking urban and rural areas, forest-wood based industries importantly contribute to vitality and sustainability of rural development. o National government will be on the frontlines for the long-term local economic recovery due to coronavirus pandemic in terms of building bridges between employment, skills and economic development policies. This is an opportunity for the development of local forest-wood value chains. o Further cooperation at national/international levels to build capacities to strengthen sustainable forest-based value chains taking into account sustainable forest management and climate change issues. Potential impacts of the expected results of the research programme on social and cultural development are as follows: o Increased visibility and credibility of Slovenia as a country seriously addressing the causes of climate change. o Increased awareness of the availability of sustainable wood products and their wide use and benefits. o Improved public perception of sustainable wood products, highlighting the benefits of sustainable forest-wood value chains. o Promotion the use of wood as a renewable and locally available resource, which will also help reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. o The more efficient use of wood in construction will enable its increased use in multi-storey buildings, leading to greater living comfort and thus having a positive impact on the health, well-being, and work performance of users. o Technological innovations in construction, together with the development of industrial processes, methods and digitalisation, will contribute to a sustainable transformation of the built environment at all levels (building, district, city). o Training of collaborators: young researchers will be involved in the programme and several students will graduate on the topics of the present programme. o The protection and preservation of biodiversity as well as sustainable management of forest resources and their sustainable utilisation also implies positive impact on their deterioration and focus on the potential to meet the needs of current and future generations. The programme follows the Suistainable Development Goals: 8-Decent work and economic growth, 9-Industry, 13-Climate Action and 17 - Partnerships for the goals. The proposed theme is in line with the objectives of the following national and EU Strategy policy documents: (1) Slovenian Strategic Framework for Climate Change Adaptation (2016); (2) National Adaptation Strategy for Forestry and Agriculture; (3) The River Basin Management Plan for the Danube and Adriatic See Basins for the 2016-2021; (4) The National Forest Programme; (5) Strategies of the European Commission Europe 2020 on the Green Economy; (6) The Slovenian National Forest Strategy Wood is Beautiful; (7) Strategic Research Innovation Partnership (Smart Buildings and Home with Wood Chain and Transition to the Circular Economy; (8) EU's bioeconomy strategy; (9) The land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) regulation for 2021-2030; (10) EU Forest Strategy; (11) Horizon Europe, and (12) European Green Deal (EGD).
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