General description of the project structure

The work in FORESTSPECS is divided into six work-packages, including a work-package focusing on management and coordination (WP1). The WPs are strongly interlinked (Fig.), so that reciprocal feedback elements optimise and guide the work at every stage. WP2 will focus on the basic raw materials and their processing, and will forward compound fractions, purified substances and their derivatives to WP3-WP5 for application assays. Each of these WPs generates bioactivity profiles, which will guide the screening assay processes at the other WPs, as well as the initial work in WP2. WP6 will contribute to this work throughout the project via fostering innovation, and towards the end by providing assessments of feasibility of the selected value-chains in a wider socio-economic framework. Thus, one can see a continuum in the work of FORESTSPECS, starting from technological processes, solutions and applications, and progressing towards larger goals affecting not only the economies of the companies providing the basic raw materials in the sector, but also many more companies along the value chain, as well as the regions and societies concerned (Fig.). This whole process is steered throughout the project by WP1.

WP2 includes both separation and development of synthetic transformations for new fine and speciality chemicals, using abundant and easily available wood residues and substances of humic origin as starting materials. The compound fractions, pure substances, and their derivatives will be studied for their biological activity (plant protection), properties relevant for material science, and pharmacological activity (health) in WP3 and WP4. WP2 also provides the required materials for environmental remediation (WP5).

In WP3 the applicability of processed products in health, cosmetics, and speciality chemicals area will be studied. This includes e.g. primary antimicrobial screening followed by secondary screening, activity profiling and characterisation of actives, and evaluation of acute and chronic toxicity in vivo for health and cosmetics applications. The applicability of speciality chemicals and polymers in chosen applications obtained from WP2 will be evaluated. Here the focus is on plasticizing, surfactant, binder, lubrication and chelating properties.
In WP4 the products from WP2 will be screened for their biological efficacy in laboratory, greenhouse and/or field with respect to insecticidal/repellent, antifungal, bactericidal and herbicidal effects. Experience shows that the biological effects can be used practically only if appropriate formulations with good shelf life, adequate coverage of the treated area, penetration into the treated organisms (plant), and acceptable persistence in the spray solution are guaranteed. For these properties of an active ingredient, a proper formulation is indispensable. Different custom-made formulations for the selected materials will be tested for the optimisation of the above properties.
In WP5 the bark or peat as such, or after removal of the extractives for other purposes, will be used as a raw material for remediation of poor or contaminated soils. The WP will study processes, usually via ‘designer composting’, to produce suitable materials for such applications. The positive effects of specific composts on plant health link the work in WP5 with WP4. Furthermore, bark materials are ideal growth substrates for fungi important as BPPP and in bioremediation; WP5 will study biotechnological approaches to optimise the production of these fungi.
In WP6 the feasibility of the new, innovative approaches and the most potential products and process solutions are subjected to cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the overall feasibility, compared with present use of these raw materials. The following operations will be evaluated; (i) fractionation of promising crude extracts, (ii) primary separation of bioactive compounds via extraction and distillation according to bioefficacy screening, (iii) key modifications needed to make added-value materials, (iv) handling and treatment of residues, optimisation of selected formulations for practical application.

Figure           Structure of the FORESTSPECS project.

Scientific coordinators of Work-Packages and their Tasks