Andrew Fernandes

The PINUS Center discloses in a new informative video the new generation of maritime pines that is being born with the genetic improvement program applied to the resin. The RN21 project – Innovation in the Natural Resin Sector to Strengthen the National Bioeconomy – marks a turning point in the history of resin in Portugal. From forest production to transformation, the purpose of this consortium, integrated by the PINUS Centre, is to make this ancestral practice, inseparable from maritime pine, more efficient, innovative, and attractive for the management and enhancement of maritime pine. This PINUS TV followed the first stages of the national genetic improvement program that promises maritime pines to be more productive in resin. The filming follows the grafts started in 2024 for the installation of the clonal assay. This takes place in a 6-hectare maritime pine plantation located in the Alva de Pataias Forest Perimeter, an area provided by the ICNF. The glaciers that reach the field contain the forks (branches) for grafting. These arrive from various regions of maritime pine origin, where more than 400 trees were previously identified and selected by an ESAC team. Researcher Isabel Carrasquinho explains how the multiplication of these trees selected by grafting will make it possible to test the performance of the clones under well-defined conditions and evaluate the genetic gain of resin production. The report also interviews one of APFCAN’s experienced grafting technicians, who demonstrates in the video the “art” of grafting maritime pine, unusual in this forest species and different from that carried out in stone pine. This spring the grafting continued, involved in a complex logistical operation coordinated by the PINUS Center in conjunction with partners, in addition to the continuous dissemination of the activities and evolution of this genetic improvement program. In parallel with the test in Alva de Pataias, the DNA extracted from the needles of the selected trees was analyzed in the laboratory by UTAD researchers. The next updates on this promising topic for the Pine Sector will continue to be disseminated on the communication channels of the PINUS Centre, along with the maritime pine genetic improvement programme for volume and form, also under development, and with the participation of this association.

Portugal was once among the world’s leading producers of Natural Resin, with a well-developed first and second processing industry, which supplied both the domestic and international markets. However, globalization and competition from synthetic and imported resins, especially from China and Brazil, have led to a significant reduction in domestic production. Currently, Portugal seeks to revitalize this sector by promoting Natural Resin as a strategic resource for the bioeconomy and industrial sustainability. This revitalization involves not only the modernization of the resin activity but also the development of new extraction technologies and the differentiation of products derived from Portuguese resin, ensuring greater added value and competitiveness in global markets. Thus, Resinae® – Pinaster Natural Resin emerges as a differentiating and innovative system for the valorization of Natural Resin, promoting the quality, traceability, and sustainability of products derived from maritime pine resin (Pinus pinaster). Developed in the context of the RN21 Integrated Project, this brand aims to strengthen the identity of the Natural Maritime Pine Resin, ensuring its appreciation in the global market and boosting circular economy practices and technological innovation. Based on a commitment to sustainability and innovation, Resinae® ensures that the products that adopt this brand comply with strict environmental and social criteria, ensuring transparency and trust throughout the value chain. Resinae® is a registered trademark that authenticates products derived from Pinus pinaster Natural Resin originating in Europe, ensuring that they come from sustainably managed forests and that their transformation follows responsible industrial processes, in line with demanding environmental requirements and high standards of social responsibility. Its implementation is integrated into the principles of the circular bioeconomy and reinforced by international certification (FSC® and/or PEFC), ensuring that forest production complies with sustainable management practices. In the industrial sector, traceability is ensured by the chain of custody system, controlling all stages of transformation and marketing to ensure that the final products come from certified sources. To ensure compliance with these criteria, the use of the Resinae® brand is regulated by its Brand Use Regulation, which defines the adhesion requirements for the different actors in the value chain, covering forest producers, processing industries, and markets that incorporate Natural Resin derivatives in their products. In addition to the above, the brand introduces a labeling system that identifies the percentage of Natural Pinus pinaster resin incorporated into the final product, divided into four categories: 10%, 40%, 70% and 100%, corresponding to the respective minimum percentage of natural resin present in the product. This categorization allows, in addition to greater transparency for the consumer, the promotion of the differentiation of Natural Resin-based products in the market. The focus on traceability aims to strengthen the confidence of consumers and business partners, raising the value of Resinae® products in the global market. This approach drives innovation in the resin sector, promoting the development of more efficient and sustainable resin methods, as well as the recovery of industrial waste for the creation of new products. Innovative applications include bioplastics and eco-friendly packaging as sustainable alternatives to fossil-based polymers, biopolymeric adhesives for the chemical and glue industries, bioactives and natural excipients for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors, and bio-based materials for the automotive and textile industries, reducing the environmental footprint (…). Learn more here

The objective is to reduce the travel of resin workers to the pine forests and have an equivalent production, to reduce the necessary labor, increase the quality of the final product, and train new resin workers. Portugal may double the current 250 million euros per year generated by the resin sector in the coming years, said this Monday the president of Resipinus – Association of Resin Distillers and Explorers. “The industry has this capacity to achieve this goal in two or three years, but it needs to have raw material and to have resinated pine forests,” said Marco Ribeiro, who was speaking to the Lusa agency after the “Resinae Ignite” meeting, which took place this afternoon in Pampilhosa da Serra, in the interior of the district of Coimbra, within the scope of the RN21 integrated project. In the initiative, which brought together entrepreneurs, producers, researchers, and institutional representatives, the association leader pointed out that Portugal resin between 20 and 25 thousand hectares of pine forest, when, according to statistics, the country has between 600 and 700 thousand hectares, which gives a large margin”. According to the president of Resipinus, within the scope of the RN21 project, which ends in December, but which can be extended a few more months, new extraction methods are being studied, less expensive, since currently the costs of extracting the resin are high. The RN21 project brings together, for the first time, the resin sector in Portugal, in a consortium that aims to invest in research and innovation to modernize and revitalize one of the most traditional sectors of the national economy, in order to value natural resin as a “bio” product. “We are taking the opportunity to develop some modernization, to bring new extraction models, more efficient, with some parts even mechanized, which until now was not possible, so that we can be more efficient in the extraction process,” explained Marco Ribeiro. The objective is to reduce the travel of resin workers to the pine forests and have an equivalent production, to reduce the necessary labor, increase the quality of the final product, through a container that allows the characteristics of the resin to be maintained, and to train new resin workers with new methods. “The market is demanding, it wants quality products, and we currently, with the traditional method, cannot achieve this product, and therefore, these new methods, which are more attractive, can bring positive aspects for the future”, he maintained. For the association leader, if there is no economic valorization of this type of work, it will be difficult to attract “anyone to the sector and, therefore, we have to take this step of modernization”. Also within the scope of the RN21 project, the PINUS Center – Association for the Enhancement of the Pine Forest, which brings together the main agents in the pine sector, announced this Monday that, together with several partners, it is starting a project to genetically improve maritime pine to produce more resin. “It is intended to select the trees that may exist in the country and that are more productive in resin. From a current average of two kilos per pine tree, we have some that produce four kilos, and through a field trial, we intend to test whether this productivity is genetic”, stressed Pedro Teixeira. If the tests confirm that the higher production is associated with a genetic issue, seeds and genetic material will be removed to replicate in new plants “that, from the outset, will be more productive”, which can happen within a decade, being “an advantage for the entire value chain”, explained the technician. At the “Resinae Ignite” meeting, the “Resinae” brand was officially presented, a symbol of quality, which 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. “The brand turns out to be the culmination of a joint effort to have public recognition and extra appreciation of the natural resin, which is used in a series of products that we use daily”, underlined Rogério Rodrigues, coordinator of the RN21 project, which has an investment of more than 26 million euros and a subsidy of 17.5 million euros, supported by the Recovery and Resilience Plan. The project is led by CoLAB ForestWISE (Collaborative Laboratory for the Integrated Management of Forest and Fire) and involves 37 entities, which will combine public and private investments, based on three pillars: promotion of the production of national natural resin, strengthening the sustainability of the manufacturing industry, and positive differentiation of natural resin and derived products. Learn more here

Entrepreneurs, producers, researchers, and institutional representatives met today in Pampilhosa da Serra, as part of the Resinae Ignite event, promoted by the RN21 Integrated Project, with the aim of exploring all links in the value chain of the natural resin sector. In the opening session, the Mayor of Pampilhosa da Serra, Jorge Custódio, stressed the relevance of the initiative, highlighting that “it is very important to put the focus back on this activity and work in collaboration with local agents and producers, who continue to play an active role in the development of the region”. “The success of the resin and the forestry sector is certainly the success of these inland territories”, he added. The event, which was a catalyst for new ideas and initiatives in the sector, was marked by the official launch of the “Resinae” brand, a symbol of quality, traceability, and environmental commitment, which aims to highlight the natural Pinus Pinaster resin in the global market as a product of excellence. 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 (Association of Resipinus distillers and explorers), Ricardo Gomes (Nares company), Pedro Gil (Gum Rosin), João Koehler (Colquímica company), Jávier Calvo (Cesefor company), were the protagonists of the thematic sessions. The work continued with the debate on “The value chain of natural resin”, “Economic sustainability of resination”, and “Challenges and opportunities”, with the participation of Rogério Rodrigues and Joana Vieira, both from CoLAB ForesWISE, and Miguel Freitas, from the University of Algarve. The presentation of the “Resinae” brand was the responsibility of Jani Pires and Juliana Salvation, from CoLAB ForestWISE. It should be recalled that the RN21 Integrated Project – Innovation in the Natural Resin Sector to Strengthen the National Bioeconomy -, led by CoLAB ForestWISE, is a consortium that brings together the entire natural resin value chain in Portugal. The project is committed to the modernization and revitalization of the sector, valuing resin as an ecological product with vast potential for application in the global market. The CoLAB ForestWISE – Collaborative Laboratory for the Integrated Management of Forest and Fire, is an organization that brings together entities linked to research, innovation, and knowledge and technology transfer, which aims to contribute to a more sustainable forest management, the valorization of forest products, and the reduction of the consequences of large fires.

Altri joins a pioneering project to implement biomass parks and forest containers for the collection of agricultural and forest leftovers. The Altri Group has partnered with CIM – Coimbra Region to implement a pilot project aimed at installing containers and parks for the collection of agricultural and forestry leftovers. These biomass parks, complemented by forest containers, aim to provide an efficient and environmentally responsible alternative for the treatment and use of forest waste. The initiative aims to improve the management of leftovers from forest exploration and maintenance activities that would often be left on the ground or burned. As a result, it will be possible to reduce the dependence on burning and open burning practices – often done in critical periods – that pose environmental and public health risks. In this way, the leftovers are sent to Greenvolt’s Plants, where they are converted into valuable resources for the production of renewable energy and other sustainable uses. The creation of these infrastructures will also stimulate collaboration with forest owners, resource management companies, and local authorities, promoting innovative solutions to common challenges. “This initiative reflects Altri’s vision of combining economic development with environmental protection, contributing to decarbonisation and mitigating the risks of forest fires,” said Miguel Silveira, Altri’s director for the Forestry area. “With biomass farms, we are creating a value chain that benefits the local community, the industry and the ecosystem.” The signing of the protocol also included a visit to the container installed in the municipality of Mortágua, next to the EN228, in Cruz de Vila Nova, and a brief technical explanation of the project within the scope of the transForm Agenda. The project was created under the transForm Agenda – integrated in the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP). The transForm Agenda, led by Altri Florestal and coordinated by CoLAB ForestWISE, is a strategic initiative made up of 56 partners, which aims at the structural transformation of the national forestry sector. With a physical and financial execution rate of 30% so far, the agenda stands out for the collaboration between public and private entities, promoting sustainability and the circular economy. Learn more here

Entrepreneurs, producers, researchers, and institutional representatives met today in Pampilhosa da Serra, as part of the Resinae Ignite event, promoted byThe RN21 Integrated Project, to explore all links in the value chain ofthe natural resin sector. In the opening session, the Mayor of Pampilhosa da Serra, Jorge Custódio, stressed the relevance of the initiative, highlighting that “it is very important to put the focus back on this activity and work in collaboration with local agents and producers, who continue to play an active role in the development of the region”. “The success of the resin and the forestry sector is certainly the success of these inland territories”, he added. The event, which was a catalyst for new ideas and initiatives in the sector, was marked by the official launch of the “Resinae” brand, a symbol of quality, traceability, and environmental commitment, which aims to highlight the natural resin of Pinus Pinaster in the global market as a product of excellence. 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 (Association of Resipinus distillers andexplorers), Ricardo Gomes (Nares company), Pedro Gil (Gum Rosin), João Koehler (Colquímica company), Jávier Calvo (Cesefor company), were the protagonists of the thematic sessions. The work continued with the debate on “The value chain of natural resin”,“Economic sustainability of resination” and “Challenges and opportunities”, with the participation of Rogério Rodrigues and Joana Vieira, both from CoLAB ForesWISE, and Miguel Freitas, from the University of Algarve. The presentation of the “Resinae” brand was the responsibility of Jani Pires and Juliana Salvation, from CoLAB ForestWISE.It should be recalled that the RN21 Integrated Project – Innovation in the Natural Resin Sector to Strengthen the National Bioeconomy -, led by CoLAB ForestWISE, is a consortium thatbrings together the entire natural resin value chain in Portugal. The project is committed to the modernization and revitalization of the sector, valuing resin as an ecological product with vast potential for application in the global market. The CoLAB ForestWISE – Collaborative Laboratory for the Integrated Management of Forest and Fire, is an organization that brings together entities linked to research, innovation, and knowledge and technology transfer, which aims to contribute to a more sustainable forest management, the valorization of forest products, and the reduction of the consequences of large fires. Learn more here