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Estonian scientists convert wood into valuable raw materials for plastics and pharmaceuticals

Wood

The five-year project represents a significant step toward replacing fossil-based raw materials with green alternatives. Photo: Mari Luud

This January, the Estonian University of Life Sciences launched a five-year research project focused on valorizing wood waste into raw materials for the pharmaceutical and plastics industries.

The five-year research project aims to produce two high-value products—lignin-deferoxamine (LDFO) and furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA)—from various wood and agricultural residues. It seeks to find green alternatives to traditional fossil resources, offering solutions for both the pharmaceutical and plastics industries.

“Our goal is to develop new ways to valorize wood residues, not only to reduce the use of fossil fuels but also to promote eco-friendly solutions that enable the full utilization of wood while supporting both the pharmaceutical industry and bioplastics production.”
Timo Kikas, Professor, an expert in bioeconomy technologies.

Deferoxamine is a medical compound primarily used to remove excess iron from the body, such as in the treatment of blood disorders. It is also critical in cancer therapy to prolong patients’ lives. Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), on the other hand, is a plant-derived chemical compound that serves as a basis for bioplastics production. Unlike plastics made from petroleum, bioplastics based on FDCA degrade more rapidly in nature, offering a more environmentally friendly alternative for the plastics industry.

Wood helps to replace fossil-based raw materials with green alternatives

“Our goal is to develop new ways to valorize wood residues, not only to reduce the use of fossil fuels but also to promote eco-friendly solutions that enable the full utilization of wood while supporting both the pharmaceutical industry and bioplastics production,” explains the project’s lead, Professor Timo Kikas, an expert in bioeconomy technologies.

Deferoxamine is a medical compound primarily used to remove excess iron from the body. Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), on the other hand, is a plant-derived chemical compound that serves as a basis for bioplastics production.

The project employs an innovative method for isolating plant components—lignin and cellulose—that preserves their structure and functionality or selectively modifies them for specific products. This approach enables the production of valuable intermediates, which are further processed using advanced catalytic methods to shorten synthesis pathways and improve the economic efficiency of the entire process.

The project represents a significant step toward replacing fossil-based raw materials with green alternatives, helping to reduce the environmental impacts of the pharmaceutical and chemical industries while enhancing the sustainable use of natural resources. The project is funded by the Estonian Research Council through a personal research grant.

This content is funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU

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