The Municipality of Cantanhede was the stage chosen for the second workshop of the RN21 Integrated Project, organized by CoLAB ForestWISE, where professionals from the Natural Resin sector were gathered.
Carlos Fonseca, Chief Technology Officer of CoLAB ForestWISE, took advantage of the opening session to launch a challenge to the participants: “The sector must reorganize itself so that, at the end of this Consortium, there is an organization that can ensure what the present and increasingly future initiatives that are related to resin in the Iberian Peninsula. We have about a year and a half to make this change.”
Representing CIM Coimbra Region was Engineer José Lopes, who gave an account of some initiatives they are developing: “We are fortunate to be involved with the ForestWISE CoLAB and other entities in several projects associated with it, we are also in RN21 and in the transForm Agenda, where we are doing the process of valuing forest biomass, and RESIST”.
António Mendes Ferreira, president of United Resins, gave a framework on this partner company of the RN21 consortium and a presentation on the 2nd Transformation process; derivatives of Natural Resin (Rosin, derivatives, current application products); the application of the resin in new sectors such as digitalization and Resfinas/Resetfibas; innovative and differentiating solutions in the footwear, textile, automotive and food industries. He also reinforced that the main objectives are “to achieve a sustainable economy, the enhancement and revitalization of sectors”.
Participants had the opportunity to attend interactive thematic stations, in charge of some of the partners of this Integrated Project, such as the Food Industry station – “Natural Preservation”, represented by TECMEAT; the Automotive Industry – “Innovation on wheels”, represented by SIMOLDES; the Textile Industry – “Weaving the future”, represented by TINTEX; and the Footwear Industry – “Sustainable Steps”, represented by CTCP.
In these stations, participants discovered how rosin and its derivatives can revolutionize sustainability in the packaging industry; how rosin biopolymers and additives are revolutionizing the production of automotive components, making them lighter and more sustainable, and also how rosin-based adhesive systems and sole materials are revolutionizing the footwear industry.
The workshop ended with the presentation of Anabela Carvalho and Lorena Coelho, from CENTI – Centre for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, who, in addition to the work carried out in the four areas that set the tone for this workshop, are also present in areas such as Health and Well-Being, Electronics, providing greater knowledge, differentiation and experience in the development of this raw material.
The two CENTI experts said that several solutions are being developed, integrating rosin and derivatives for diversified sectors, based on a circular economy perspective. The valorization of this local product allows us to strengthen the potential of this raw material and expand its applicability. They also reinforced that the resin and its derivatives allow not only to increase the bio-based component of the products, but also to improve some of the final technical properties.
This cycle of workshops aims to foster an open debate on the various perspectives of the Natural Resin value chain, from production to the final application of derived products.
Led by the ForestWISE CoLAB, RN21 brings together for the first time, 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.
Learn more here