Biomaterials

Hub Description

Biomaterials from forest, land and seas are a crucial component of the bioeconomy. It refers to the production and consumption of biomass-based goods, services, and energy. New materials and novel circular material processes hold promise of improved sustainability.

Forest-based biomaterials encompass sectors such as forestry, pulp and paper production, woodworking, and wooden buildings. It also covers parts of the chemical, biotechnological, and energy industries, as well as bio-based products for textiles, food and pharmaceuticals. The versatile raw material wood is simultaneously renewable, recyclable, reusable, and refinable resource, offering a simple way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Forests act as carbon sinks, while wood products provide opportunities for carbon storage and substitutes for carbon-intensive materials. Nevertheless, biodiversity remains a challenge, as forest-based industry and biomaterials production require significant natural resources.

In CircHive project tools and approaches are tested for biodiversity footprinting of wood-based products and other biobased materials and for natural capital accounting.

Membership Criteria 

Currently open to CircHive project partners and stakeholders.

BeeHive group on the topic of biomaterials. Hosted by the CircHive project.