New wood science centre to develop Swedish forestry

A new wood science research institute in Sweden aims to develop new products and technologies to enhance the country’s forestry industry.

The Wallenberg Wood Science Centre, which has received SKr120m in funding from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, will look to add value to Swedish forest products.

It will focus on three key areas: production technology; separation technology for fibres; and the creation of new materials resulting from this, such as composites.

Swedish universities Chalmers and KTH will collaborate over the initial three-year research period, combining resources and technical knowledge.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to strengthen Swedish wood science research and contribute to the introduction of new industrial products at the same time,” said Lars Berglund, director of the centre and professor of biocomposites at KTH.

“We will be combining newer disciplines such as nanotechnology and biotechnology with established timber product research.”

The presidents of KTH and Chalmers, Peter Gudmundson and Karin Markides, added the Wallenberg Wood Science Centre is part of the universities’ commitment to work more closely on areas of shared expertise, “something that should happen more often”.