21 May 2026 (Indústria e Ambiente) – Indústria e Ambiente reviewed the results of the RN21 Integrated Project, presented at IN.RESIN – Natural Resin Innovation, which brought together more than 250 participants from Portugal and Spain in Chaves on 7 and 8 May.
The project in numbers
RN21 gave rise to six industrial symbioses, 20 new products with a lower ecological footprint, 11 industrial pilot lines, 90 newly qualified resin tappers, six digital support platforms, 38 research, development and innovation lines and 34 technical and scientific publications. For Rogério Rodrigues, Project Director, Natural Resin has regained strategic value in the bioeconomy thanks to collaboration between industry, universities, technology centres and sector associations.
From forest to industry
In the forest, the project worked on more efficient tapping methods, a mechanised cleaning system for the new collection bags, the genetic improvement of maritime pine and the Resin Tapper Academy. In industry, it developed continuous reactors with lower energy consumption, digitalisation and automation tools, digital twins, robotic platforms and high bio-content polymers, with applications in soles, adhesives, coatings, technical materials and packaging films.
Originally published in Indústria e Ambiente.