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Description: 
This research topic focuses on the solutions of important development issues of novel environmentally friendly building materials from these bio-residues, with a focus on increasing fire resistance, which is necessary for the building materials applications. In order to cope with these challenges, this project will develop innovative materials for building panels based on biowaste and mycelium.

Description: 
In our project, we are developing enzyme technologies utilizing extremophilic microbe-derived enzymes to break down and modify lignin, remove toxic phenolic compounds, convert cellulose into wood sugars, and advance enzyme-catalyzed cellulose technologies. Additionally, the project focuses on advancing technologies for converting kraft, hydrolysis (and organosolv) and synthetic lignins into porous materials, thermoplastics, and cutting-edge catalysts.

Description:
The goal of the thematic research and development project is to create competence in Estonia for the sustainable use of hitherto less-used wood and wood materials in building constructions. In the framework of the project, engineering parameters are presented for less-used wood, and sustainable production and construction technologies are developed. New uses for production residues are also developed. The principles of the circular economy are followed in the development of design and technology methods. Detachable joints enabling recycling wood are being developed. Integrated design solutions and numerical simulation models are developed, and optimized structural solutions are developed.
The thematic research and development project is implemented as an interdisciplinary collaboration, developing new technologies and design principles and combining competencies to create a solid scientific base for innovative, sustainable wood engineering.

Description: 
Design and assessment methods are improved, and their scope widened to new innovative wood products based on experimental studies and thermo-mechanical simulations. This will accelerate the implementation of bio-based adhesives, improving the competitiveness and safety of the engineered wood products and promoting the utilization of low-quality wood species.

Description: 
Establishing Estonian automated state-of-the-art synthetic biology platform.

Media: Research in Estonia

Goal(s): 
Studies on semi-industrial scale extraction of hemp,
optimisation of conditions. Distillation of extracts, CBD crystallization. CBD fractionation by flash-chromatography.
Result(s): 
The technology has been developed for extracting cannabidiol from hemp.

Media: Arigeenius (in Estonian)

Goal(s): 
This research is aiming to reduce the harm of plastic waste to nature by replacing the disposable plastics tableware material with modified reed materials and with reed reinforced biopolymer composites. This applied research is potentially aimed for tableware producer companies, who are seeking new materials for their production processes and who are looking for new environmentally friendly materials for replacing synthetic plastics as raw materials.
Result(s): 
Various possibilities for the use of reed in biocomposites were identified. During the work, suitable mixtures of reed biocomposite materials suitable for the production of biofood dishes were developed.

Goal(s): 
The BIOCONNECT project aims to help create a more robust, integrated, and inclusive Baltic ecosystem/cluster for biotechnology innovation as one of the key ingredients for the present and future economic competitiveness of the region.
Result(s): 
Baltic biotech action plan will be published and a memorandum signed collectively by all Baltic states.

Media: Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis; ECHAlliance

Goal(s):
The project aims to strengthen the research in the field of timber engineering in Ukraine, to help reconstruction and to support the transition of the construction sector towards circularity and sustainability.  More specifically the project aims at increased sustainability of the built environment by timber buildings through a more efficient, long-lasting and reusable application of structural timber and engineered wood products. The project will reduce the complexity of high-performance connections for timber buildings and lower the entrance barrier towards the use of timber in structures.
Result(s):
New remountable joints for timber structures with their technical properties for ambient and fire situation.

Goal(s): 
The aim of the research project was the investigation of timber bridges in Estonia.
Result(s): 
Analysis of structural conditions of timber bridges and comparison of life cycle costs for bridges made of different materials was provide.

Goal(s): 
We combine the technologies of 3D printing of living materials and the synthetic biology approach of non-traditional yeasts to create a novel, targeted living catalyst immobilization platform for biorefining that converts various organic wastes into more valuable oleochemicals.
Result(s): 
The basic understanding of non-conventional yeast Rhodotorula toruloides was aquired. The knowledge can be used for microbial cell factory development for oleochemical production from low-value substrates. A hydrogel-based platform that allows yeast cells to stay metabolically active while immobilized in the 3D-printed matrix was developed. Conversion of substrates to products was slightly more efficient, opening possibilities for further studies.

Goal(s):
The goal of BIOFORM project was to introduce new targeted chemical modifications to biobased formulations and help to  commercialize low-toxic biodegradable formulations.
Result(s):
The new products proposed: (1) POM / PLA composites made by the melt extrusion process and well suited as a coating material for the hospital environment; (2) nanoemulsions of essential oils that characterized by controlled loading; (3) lignin-based materials as gels with potential antiviral and antibacterial properties.

Media: Facebook

Goal(s): 
Demonstrated the efficiency of a novel biotechnological process on a pilot scale that converts wood industry residues (pre-treated sawdust) into healthy feed and nutritional supplements. A life cycle analysis was performed on the process, quantitatively demonstrating the benefits of a circular economy process and a platform was created for the efficient development of industrial biotechnology processes on various sustainable commodities such as food waste, food industry and agricultural by-products.
Result(s): 
Non-conventional yeast Rhodotorula toruloides was able to tolerate inhibitors present in wood hydrolysates and grow on short-chain fatty acids obtained from food waste. While growing, it produced intracellular microbial oils and carotenoids. Both oils and carotenoids can be extracted and used as a feed and food supplements.

Media: Facebook

Goal(s):
In the course of the project, the possibilities of using various materials produced by the chemical valorization of cellulose for the collection of electrical energy using the triboelectric method are investigated. In the Laboratory of Biopolymer Technology of Tallinn University of Technology, cellulose derivatives are prepared and nanofibrous non-woven materials are produced from them by electrospinning. The main physical properties of non-woven materials are determined. Project partner RISE constructs triboelectric devices from the non-woven materials and evaluates their ability to produce electricity.
Result(s):
Prototypes of triboelectric materials were produced and the suitability of electrospinning technology in this application was proven.

Goal(s):
In the course of the project, a laboratory pilot line for the production of novel thermoplastic cellulose is developed and a technological solution for the production and processing of the materials is proposed.
Result(s):
The result of the work offers new consumer plastics in the synergy of cellulose chemistry and plastics technology.

Media: Research in Estonia