Clipping

Resin is a natural product, produced by conifers as a defense and protection substance against infections. It is a viscous, transparent liquid with a strong pine odor and a strong adhesive character. Its use by man dates back to Antiquity, and there are traces of its use in the mummification process in Ancient Egypt. In Portugal, the record of the use of natural resin dates back to the 18th century. XV, having been used in the caulking of ships used in Portuguese maritime exploration. The use of Natural Resin and its derivatives has undergone profound changes over time, which reflect the improvements associated with the extraction process and technological and industrial development.The modernization of the resin harvesting process, combined with the vast pine forest and the incentive to resination, led, in the middle of the last century, to the exponential increase in the extraction of Natural Resin in Portugal. In the1974/75 campaign, Portugal was the world’s second-largest resin producer, reaching an all-time high of 140,000 tons/year. However, the entry into the market of new resin-producing countries at more competitive prices led to a decrease in the price of this raw material. The price decrease, associated with forest fires and the consequent decrease in pine forests, led to the progressive abandonment of this activity. Currently, Portugal produces about 5000 tons of Natural Resin per year.The increase in the production of Natural Resin in the 70s and 80s motivated the Portuguese industry to value this raw material, and at that time, the first industries of second-processing emerged. Despite the decrease in production, the Portuguese natural resin second-processing industry remained competitive, standing out worldwide.The tradition associated with this forestry activity, as well as the innovation of the Natural Resin processing industry and the potential of this natural and sustainable raw material, contributed to the Natural Resin sector being identified in Component 12 – Sustainable Bioeconomy, of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, together with the Textile and Clothing Industry and the Footwear Industry, as a key sector for promoting the climate transition.The RN21 Integrated Project – Innovation in the Natural Resin Sector for the Strengthening of the National Bioeconomy brings together, for the first time, the entire value chain of the Natural Resin Sector in Portugal, in a joint effort to leverage the entire sector.This Project is based on three pillars:I- Promotion of the production of national Natural Resin;II- Strengthening the sustainability of the manufacturing industry;III- Positive differentiation of Natural Resin and derived products.The Integrated Project, led by CoLAB ForestWISE, brings together 37 entities representing the entire value chain, from the production of Natural Resin, the first processing industry, the second processing industry, entities of the National Scientific and Technological System, entities linked to the territory and the market, in an unprecedented effort to promote the Natural Resin Sector. Of the 22 key measures that make up the Integrated Project, we highlight the development of new methods for the extraction of Natural Resin, a genetic improvement program for the production of resin, the determination of the potential for the production of resin from other pine species, the financial analysis and cocultivation for maritime pine management models with and without resin, the training of resiners, support for investment in the Natural Resin processing industries, the search for new applications and new market niches for rosin, the creation of a differentiating brand for Natural Resin and a communication campaign. Finally, the European commitment to the transition process towards carbon neutrality and circularity, contained in the European Green Deal and the European Action Plan for the Circular Economy, in perfect alignment with the European Bioeconomy Strategy and the European Forest Strategy, require us to take strategic measures that lead to the greater replacement of fossil carbon with renewable carbon from forests, as well as the valorization of ecosystem services and the increase of biodiversity.The RN21 Integrated Project will contribute to achieving the goals of the European Green Deal, which aims to achieve a reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions of at least 55% by 2030, through the development of new products. The new applications and niches for rosin will contribute to the replacement of fossil-based raw materials with natural and renewable raw materials.Along with the expected results of this project, it is important to expand measures aimed at sustainable forest management, stimulating territorial cohesion and rural economies, in this case, boosting national productivity using an indigenous species, which generates goods and services of excellence (wood, fibers, resin, among others), which will help achieve these objectives. Promoting sustainable forest management, through a lasting and stable strategy that creates greater resilience and competitiveness (in the forests and in the territory) is a goal where the maritime pine species can play an important role and where the natural resin will certainly strengthen the range of excellent biobased products that our country makes available to the market.Authors:Joana Vieira, Marta Martins, Jani Pires, Juliana Salvation, Joana Rodrigues, Alexandra Marques, Carlos Fonseca and Rogério Rodrigues CoLAB ForestWISE Learn more here

The preliminary results of the study that is being carried out in the parish of Isna on the extraction of resin show that the 60 pine trees evaluated in this first year of exploration give more resin than the national average. This is stated by Marco Ribeiro, president of Resipinus – Association of Resin Distillers and Explorers and responsible for Raízes In, a partner entity in this research project.That official, quoted in a note sent to Oleiros Magazine by the municipality, reveals that the resin extracted in the traditional way in each of the 60 maritime pines “exceeded the value of the national production average, which is about one and a half kilos per spout, in the first year of exploration. At Isna, the bags were removed and the resin weighed, with each pine tree originating values of around two kilos of this material”.These data offer promising prospects for a possible resin exploration in the municipality of Oleiros. The study is part of a project developed since April by a consortium of 37 entities, led by Forestwise – Collaborative Laboratory for Integrated Forest and Fire Management, with the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), and the company Raízes In as the scientific responsible.As we mentioned firsthand, this project, which is being implemented on the ground by a forestry engineer and two resin workers from the parish of Isna, also aims to improve resin exploration techniques. Hence, in the second campaign, which will start in March 2024, resin extraction will continue traditionally in the same 60 pine trees, but also using new forms of resin extraction, using, on the one hand, a closed system that aims to increase the quality of the resin obtained and, on the other hand, using new biological stimulants that increase its production. “We estimate that in a second campaign, production will increase between 30 and 40%. Thus, it is to be expected that the values obtained at Isna will be even more satisfactory next year”, explains Marco Ribeiro, in the same note and referring to traditional extraction.It should be remembered that the municipality of Oleiros was one of the main producers of resin in the country, even having a factory for the transformation of the product. Miguel Marques, in a note sent to our newspaper, considers that the first data end up “not surprising us. We are fully aware of the potential of this patch of maritime pines and what it can represent, in terms of income, for the owners. We are very pleased with the good data obtained and hope that it will continue to be so. It will be a great challenge and an opportunity for many owners of the forest to generate income again to become sustainable”, he says.Portugal has even become the world leader in resin production. However, at the end of the 90s, this activity was decreasing. In turn, 50 years ago, the district of Castelo Branco produced a tenth of the total resin entered into distillation plants in Portugal and generated a very significant annual revenue.Now the country seems to want to bet on a once important sector. Under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), an amount of 33 million euros was announced for the resin sector. According to the government, 17.5 million euros will be applied in an integrated project aimed at promoting natural resin, strengthening the sustainability of the manufacturing industry, and the positive differentiation of natural resin and derived products; while 15.5 million euros will be allocated to forest management initiatives and support for resin in the natural resin sector.This testing project is part of RN21 – Innovation in the Natural Resin Sector for Strengthening the National Bioeconomy and is co-financed by the Environmental Fund through Component 12 – Promotion of Sustainable Bioeconomy of the European funds allocated to Portugal by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR). Along with Oleiros, trials are underway in pine forest plots in Vila Pouca de Aguiar, Nazaré, Cantanhede, and Amareleja. Learn more here

Next Monday, January 27th, Pampilhosa da Serra will host the event “Resinae Ignite”, promoted by the RN21 Integrated Project, led by CoLAB ForestWISE.® This event marks the official launch of the Resinae brand, a symbol of quality, traceability, and environmental commitment, aimed at highlighting the natural resin of Pinus pinaster in the global market as a product of excellence. The objective of creating the Resinae brand is to strengthen the competitiveness of this traditional sector of the Portuguese economy, responding to the growing demands of the market in terms of sustainability and innovation. During the event, experts, entrepreneurs, producers, and institutional representatives will discuss the main challenges and opportunities that shape the natural resin value chain. The agenda will include perspectives on sustainable practices, innovation in production, transformation, and expansion into new markets, promoting a constructive dialogue around viable and sustainable solutions. RN21, led by CoLAB ForestWISE®, is a consortium that brings together the entire natural resin value chain in Portugal. This project focuses on the modernization and revitalization of the sector, valuing resin as an ecological product with vast potential for application in the global market. The event will take place at the Monsenhor Nunes Pereira Building, starting at 14:00. Learn more here

Salvaterra de Magos, December 2, 2024 (Mais Ribatejo) – The Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF) will present the results of the resin project developed in plot 17 of the Escaroupim National Forest, in a session that will take place on December 5, at 10:00 am, in the Auditorium of the Cais da Vala Building, in Salvaterra de Magos. Initiative focused on the genetic conservation of maritime pine The project, integrated in the research program PDR2020-785-063761, aims to conserve and improve the genetic resources of the maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.). Coordinated by the National Institute of Agrarian and Veterinary Research (INIAV), in collaboration with the ICNF, the Higher Institute of Agronomy (ISA), the PINUS Center and the Faculty of Sciences, the study developed resin tests on clones to identify the best individuals for the production of high quality resin. The results obtained include the submission to the National Catalogue of Base Materials of the elite maritime pine orchard, which will make seeds of high genetic quality available for afforestation. This action is part of the PRR-Natural Resin RN21 program, which aims to strengthen sustainable resin production in Portugal. History and relevance of the Escaroupim National Forest Initially administered by the Montaria Mor do Reino, the Escaroupim National Forest has been part of the public administration since 1836. Currently, it occupies an area of 438 hectares, being wooded in 346 hectares with a predominance of stone pine (32%), maritime pine (20%), and eucalyptus (7%). In addition to the production of woody material and fruit, the forest includes areas for forest research, improvement, and conservation of genetic resources of species such as maritime pine, stone pine, eucalyptus, and elm. Also noteworthy is the Arboretum, created in 1953, which is considered the most important outside Australia, with 126 species of eucalyptus whose foliage is used to feed the koalas at the Lisbon Zoo. Session with the participation of experts The session will be led by Paula Soares, assistant professor at the Instituto Superior de Agronomia, with the presence of Rui Pombo, Regional Director of Nature Conservation and Forests of Lisbon and Tagus Valley, and Isabel Carrasquinho, from INIAV. Participation in the event is free, but subject to prior registration, due to the limited capacity of the room. Interested parties should register by sending an email to drcnf.lvt@icnf.pt. Impact on forest sustainability With this project, the ICNF reaffirms its commitment to sustainability and the conservation of forest biodiversity, demonstrating how applied research can contribute to the sustainable management of natural resources in the national territory. Learn more here

Portugal’s national meat-producing and processing sector can be classified as a strategic and evolving sector, with characteristics that combine tradition, recognized quality, and challenges in terms of innovation, competitiveness, and sustainability. This is how Paulo Cadeia, executive director of TECMEAT, in an interview with iAlimentar magazine, characterizes the sector, and adds that Portugal is known for the production of high-quality meat, especially in the case of pork (including the iconic black pork) or beef through its native breeds. In addition, the executive warns of the need to increase training and continuous qualification in new technological practices as well as to increase innovation and cooperation activities between companies and scientific entities. What led to the creation of TECMEAT? The creation of the Agri-Food Competence Center with a focus on the Meat Industry (TECMEAT) is essentially due to two points. The first, resulting from the high concentration of the meat processing industry that exists in the region where TECMEAT is implemented; the second, the vision of the Municipality of Vila Nova de Famalicão to verify that there was no competence center at a regional, and even national, level capable of developing innovation activities and technical and practical training activities specifically oriented to the meat processing industry sector. Thus was born TECMEAT, a private and non-profit association, whose mission is to enhance the increase in competitiveness and innovation of producing and processing companies in the meat sector through its scientific and technological development. In which areas does it operate? What services do you provide? Although more broadly, TECMEAT can operate in the entire agri-food sector, its main focus is on the meat sector and its processing. Through its Pilot Unit and its Microbiology Laboratory, TECMEAT can provide a set of services to the industry that includes technical and technological training in a pilot environment, support and consultancy in the development and characterization of new products and new processing techniques, or even in the provision of a wide range of analyses, quality control tests, and trials. In addition to these components, TECMEAT has also acted as a hub for the transfer and demonstration of knowledge to the industry in partnership with new product and process developments obtained from equipment goods companies and suppliers of ingredients and the most diverse consumables. In which research projects does TECMEAT participate? Are there prospects for new products to enter the market? When? Currently, TECMEAT participates in three projects of the RRP (Recovery and Resilience Program). He is actively involved in the VIIAFOOD agenda, led by Sonae, where, together with other entities in the scientific system and a company in the meat sector, we have carried out proofs of concept in the development of innovative products in three different lines. In addition to this, we are also involved in two Bioeconomy projects: the RN21 project where we seek to test the behavior of biofilms and the application of rosin resulting from resins from our forestry industry to replace commercial films of fossil origin; and the BE@T Project in which we seek to find industrial symbioses between the by-products of the textile and clothing sector and the by-products of the meat sector. In all three projects, we already have prototypes of new products with promising results and are potentially interesting to enter the market. In addition to these projects in progress, we still have some applications under evaluation with the Association of Limousine Breeders and the Municipality of Fundão in order to provide a set of services in terms of training yield for cutting beef carcasses. How do you classify the national meat-producing and processing sector? Portugal’s national meat-producing and processing sector can be classified as a strategic and evolving sector, with characteristics that combine tradition, recognized quality, and challenges in terms of innovation, competitiveness, and sustainability. In these short four years of TECMEAT’s existence and contacts and partnerships already established, I note that there has been an effort to evolve in terms of the adoption of new practices of innovation activities, both in the productive sector and in the manufacturing sector. We all know that, in general, the meat industry is still known to be closed and reluctant to cooperate in the development of new products and processes. However, I have witnessed over the years the effort that these companies are beginning to make to change this paradigm, because they are beginning to realize that their evolution, as well as the possibility of increasing their export quotas, will only be achieved through cooperation, innovation, and above all, the differentiation of products with higher added value. The sector is indeed dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), both in production and processing, which results in fragmentation that can hinder international competitiveness, facing difficulties in competing with large producers in other countries due to the lack of economies of scale and relatively high production costs and more recently the shortage of skilled labour, But it is also true that the sector has great growth potential, as long as it manages to overcome its challenges in terms of innovation, sustainability and competitiveness. What do you consider to be the strengths (and those to be improved) of the Portuguese meat-producing and processing sector? To what extent can TECMEAT help change the scenario? Undoubtedly, one of the strong points of the sector is the quality of the meat we produce. Portugal is known for the production of high-quality meats, especially in the case of pork (including the iconic black pork) or beef through its native breeds such as Limusine, Barrosã, Arouquesa, … just to mention a few. Many companies have also invested in modern technology in the slaughter and processing processes, which increases the efficiency and traceability of products. There has also been a growing focus on the automation (and even robotization) of processes and the innovation of some products. In terms of points to improve, we undoubtedly need to increase training and continuous qualification in new technological practices, as well as to increase innovation and cooperation activities between companies and scientific entities.

The RN21 project holds a webinar that addresses the role of natural resin in the transition to carbon neutrality, the challenges of the industry in adopting more sustainable practices, and the opportunities that arise from innovation and sustainability in the sector. The event has two speakers – Zenaida Mourão, from INESCTEC, and Firmino Rocha, from KEMI – and takes place online, from 14:30 to 16:00, with prior registration required. Learn more here

“One of the greatest legacies that JF sustains is that of concern for the region and its future, never resigning itself to accepting, as certain, the weak collective condition as a supposed curse, imposed by interiority”, said Nuno Francisco, director of JF, at the opening of the Beira Interior Days that took place, on the 15th, in Alcaide, integrated in the “Míscaros – Mushroom Festival”, under the theme “Agriculture, Forest and Energy”. Here, there is fertile land to plant the future. There always has been and will continue to be. But for this to happen, we need that driving force that goes through a development strategy for these territories, providing them with conditions so that we can fulfill our obligations”, he added, assuring that the JF “will never give up its DNA, which has made it a reference publication in the Portuguese press”. The Mayor of Fundão, Paulo Fernandes, underlined the interest of the days as “an event for the construction of knowledge and sharing of information” and noted that the Chamber of Fundão is preparing to create a demarcated area of wild mushrooms in Gardunha to preserve and enhance this complement to the income of families, helping, at the same time, to protect the mountain range from fires. Fernando Martins, director of the Agriculture and Fisheries Unit of the Commission for Coordination and Regional Development of the Center (CCDRC), congratulated the JF for honoring the legacy of commitment to the region, promoting these days, then making it known that the CCDRC has at its disposal a set of instruments that will be made available for agricultural production to find the essential financing routes for its modernization. The first panel of the conference was dedicated to “Forest, Profitability and Planning”, and was moderated by Celestino Almeida, coordinating professor of the IPCB Agrarian School. From Pinus Verde, Marisa Monsanto presented the body she chairs, giving an account of the 26 years of life of this non-profit association, which promotes forestry and rural development. “It is a tool at the service of a community and a territory, it promotes the multiple uses of the forest and takes advantage of traditional knowledge, also promoting economic activities”, summarized the leader. Pedro Marques, responsible for the management of easement areas at REN – Rede Elétrica Nacional, spoke of the vast network of infrastructures and the electricity network, corresponding to a motorway, with the profile of the A1, between Lisbon and Dubai. Flávio Massano, mayor of Manteigas, encouraged the inhabitants of the region to be proud of the territory. “We do not resign ourselves and we do not give up”, he emphasized, criticizing that the management of the territory is done 200 or 300 kilometers away and the reigning bureaucracy, translated into programs, programs, acronyms, and separate things that are not understood. “Either we fight for ourselves, or no one cares,” he warned, encouraging joint work. In the same tone was the intervention of Luís Matias, promoter of the Pinhal Interior Revitalization Plan, who brought to mind the “civic shock” caused by the tragedy of the 2017 fires and criticized the Portuguese inability to plan for the future. “We are very good at creating strategic plans, but very bad at planning,” he stressed. “We must demonstrate that we know where we want to go, what we want to do, and how we are going to get there”, he noted, recalling that in Lisbon no one contributes a single euro for the preservation and conservation of environmental conditions or water quality, unlike what the Interior does. Also critical was Carlos Fonseca, a researcher in the area of ecology and conservation and CEO of Colab Forestwise. “The easiest thing is to be disbelievers and not believe in anything else because we can’t change. I am an optimist and I consider that the fact that we are here, at an event on valuing the forest, is proof that we must believe that it is possible”, he concluded. Learn more here