Current Projects

We are currently involved in many collaborative projects funded by the European Union, Welsh Government and UK Govenment. We are also involved in several COST ACTION programmes. The following list highlights some of the projects and there are links to visit the main website for the majority of projects.

Project: MDF Recovery

The project “Medium Density Fibreboard: Enhancing Supply Chain Value" offers a better ecological solution for MDF disposal, which generates a new raw material source for the wood/natural fibre industry that reduces demand on standing forests. The recovered fibre is of the same high quality as virgin wood fibre and provides a feedstock to the manufacturers of MDF board, insulation products and formable packing materials. More information...

Project: BEACON+

BEACON will build integrated ‘Green Supply Chains’ with a focus on developing new routes to functional, cost competitive products using biomass rather than oil. The project will engage with businesses to cultivate and then deliver ‘Green Technology Solutions’ to benefit industry across a range of sectors using a network of scientific expertise based at Aberystwyth, Bangor and Swansea Universities with capacity to provide solutions from bench to demonstration scale. The aim is to enhance the embryonic green economy by applying excellent science to stimulate new job creation, inward investment and the promotion of Welsh scientific excellence at a global level.

Project website: http://www.beaconwales.org

Project: ECO-SEE

ECO-SEE, a new FP7 project led by the University of Bath, with 16 partners from across Europe, aims to address an emerging health problem associated with modern low carbon buildings. Modern buildings have been developed to be very airtight, improving their energy efficiency and reducing their carbon footprint. However, these sealed environments have created unexpected side effects, with research showing that a build-up of potentially harmful chemicals in the air is potentially causing negative impacts on occupants.

The ECO-SEE project studies the use of innovative eco-building materials that will address poor air quality, while also radically improving the energy efficiency of buildings.

Project website: http://www.eco-see.eu/

Project: BISIGODOS

BISIGODOS aims to address the production of valuable algae derived chemicals, amino acids and high added-value bio-resins starting from algae biomass fed directly with CO2 from industrial emissions (cement, steel factory, thermal power plants, etc.) as a raw material that is cost-effective and renewable. The process is assisted by solar radiation, nutrients and sea water microalgae. This approach is based on the technology developed by the Partner Biofuel Systems (BFS) to produce bio-oil.

Project website: http://www.bisigodos.eu/

FPS COST Action FP1205: Innovative applications of regenerated wood cellulose fibres

The key objective of Cost ACTION FP1205 are:

Improving knowledge on the preparation of nanocellulose and regenerated cellulose from wood sources.
Modifying the properties of cellulosic materials to provide greater performance and potential for commercial uptake.
Optimisation of processing parameters for the scaling up of regenerated cellulosic fibre production.
Understanding the performance of new materials.
New products from regenerated cellulosic sources.

As part of this COST Action we held a training school and workshop 3rd-6th March 2014.

For Training School images click here.
For Workshop images click here.

COST ACTION website: http://www.cost.eu/domains_actions/fps/Actions/FP1205

FPS COST Action FP 1203: European non-wood forest products (NWFPs) network

The importance of non-wood forest products (NWFPs) is recognised and accepted, but forest research remains mainly focussed on timber production. Consequently knowledge about European NWFPs is comparatively scarce, as is research on their ecology, management and economics, required to optimize sustainable simultaneous production of different products from forests. It is proposed that a multidisciplinary European network on NWFPs will help to bridge these gaps.

COST ACTION website: http://www.cost.eu/domains_actions/fps/Actions/FP1203

FPS COST Action FP1003: Impact of renewable materials in packaging for sustainability - development of renewable fibre and bio-based materials for new packaging applications

This Action addresses research in e.g. value chain efficiency, end-of-life and supply of raw material. It generates a trans-european cooperation aiming at developing scenarios about the future of paper recycling within Europe and the role recovered paper and board will play as a raw material source for the European paper industry.

COST ACTION website: http://www.cost.eu/domains_actions/fps/Actions/FP1003

FPS COST Action FP1006: Bringing new functions to wood through surface modifications

This Action will provide the scientific-based framework and knowledge for enhanced surface modification of wood and wood products towards higher functionalization and towards fulfilment of higher technical, economic and environmental standards. Such improvement is essential for a wider and more innovative usage of wood and wood based products, also in the scope of tackling the climate changes, by lowering of usage of non-wood materials.

COST Action website: http://www.cost.eu/domains_actions/fps/Actions/FP1006

FPS COST Action FP1303: Performance of bio-based building materials

This Action will provide a platform for networking and scientific exchange between different disciplines, such as material sciences, wood technology, biology, biotechnology, building physics and engineering. The Action aims to provide performance data for many "environmental friendly" building materials as well as suitable comprehensive test methodologies to determine their resistance against mould, stain, and decay. Consumer demands and preferences will also be taken into account. Information gained will support the expanding market potential for bio-based building products in indoor and outdoor construction.

COST Action website: http://www.cost.eu/domains_actions/fps/Actions/FP1303