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The official launch of the “Resinae” brand, a symbol of quality, traceability, and environmental commitment that was created to enhance the Natural Resin of Pinus Pinaster, took place on January 27 at the “Resinae Ignite” event, organized by the RN21 Integrated Project. According to Jani Pires and Juliana Salvation, members of CoLAB ForestWISE, the creation of this brand aims to strengthen the position of the sector and boost Natural Resin to a level of competitiveness that responds to the demands of a market increasingly focused on sustainability. This event also brought together entrepreneurs, producers, researchers, and institutional representatives to explore all links in the value chain of the natural resin sector. The program included interventions and debates on sustainable practices, innovation in production, transformation, and expansion into new markets, promoting a constructive dialogue around viable and sustainable solutions. Pedro Teixeira (Centro Pinus Association), Marco Ribeiro (Resipinus Distillers and Explorers Association), Ricardo Gomes (Nares company), Pedro Gil (Gum Rosin), João Koehler (Colquímica company), Jávier Calvo (Cesefor company), participated in the thematic sessions. In these interventions, the need to work on the importance of resin for the sustainability of the pine forest was highlighted, explaining that when there is resin, there is forest management and the presence of people on the ground, increasing the surveillance capacity. The need to reinforce the number of resin workers in Portugal was also mentioned, as this is a critical problem that the sector is facing. The speakers stressed that the resin sector represents 250 million annually with the manufacturing industry, and there are conditions to double this amount, also increasing the number of associated jobs. Miguel Freitas, professor at the University of Algarve and former Secretary of State for Forests and Rural Development, considered that there is a path that is being taken and pointed to the resin sector as a strategic sector of the bioeconomy. The university professor also warned of the need to look at resin from a territorial perspective, and to promote a product that is different, responding to the investment in the economy of diversification and cooperation to leverage the sector. Joana Vieira, from CoLAB ForestWISE, reinforced the problem of the lack of qualified labor, noting that it is necessary to make the activity more attractive, invest in the mechanization of resin, create a training academy for the resin worker, thus allowing more knowledge and techniques associated with this function. Led by the ForestWISE CoLAB®, RN21 brings together the entire value chain of the Natural Resin sector in Portugal, in an integrated and mobilizing research and innovation Consortium where the modernization and revitalization of one of the most traditional sectors of the national economy is promoted, valuing Natural Resin as a “bio” product and enhancing the great possibilities of its application in the market.

The latest applications and developments of Natural Resin, as well as the innovation, sustainability, and new opportunities that this raw material is bringing to various industries, will be the main topics addressed in the second workshop of the RN21 Integrated Project, which will take place on October 21st, at the Centro Social e Paroquial de S. Pedro, in Cantanhede, starting at 2:30 p.m. This event, part of a series of innovative workshops, will focus on the theme “Creating the Future with Natural Resin”, and will explore how this raw material is revolutionizing several industries — from food preservation to fashion, as well as the automotive and footwear sectors. In addition to the presentation of success stories, there will be interactive thematic stations, offering participants the opportunity to discover how colophony and its derivatives can revolutionize sustainability in the packaging industry; how colophony-based biopolymers and additives are transforming automotive component production, making them lighter and more sustainable; and how adhesive systems and sole materials based on colophony are reshaping the footwear industry. The workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn more about innovation, sustainability, and the new opportunities that this raw material can bring. This workshop series aims to foster an open debate on the different perspectives of the Natural Resin value chain, from production to the final application of derivative products. Led by CoLAB ForestWISE®, the RN21 Project brings together, for the first time, the entire Natural Resin value chain in Portugal within an integrated and mobilizing research and innovation consortium. The project promotes the modernization and revitalization of one of the country’s most traditional economic sectors, enhancing the value of Natural Resin as a bio-based product and unlocking its vast potential for market application. With an investment of over 26 million euros and a grant of 17.5 million euros, the project brings together 37 entities, combining public and private investments, creating favorable conditions for collaboration between companies and R&D&I partners, and driving the ecological and digital transition. PROGRAMME 2:30 p.m. – Reception and Welcome 2:45 p.m. – Opening Session 3:00 p.m. – Transformation Processes: From Resin to Final ProductAntónio Mendes Ferreira (United Resins) 3:15 p.m. – Introduction to Thematic Stations 3:30 p.m. – Thematic Stations 4:30 p.m. – Coffee Break 4:45 p.m. – Sustainable Innovation with Functional MaterialsAnabela Carvalho (CeNTI) 5:15 p.m. – Closing Session