Documents
Pillar Documents
Pillar I works on the first link in the Natural Resin value chain: the forest. Its aim is to increase the quantity and quality of resin produced in Portugal and to strengthen supply to the national industry, based on sustainable forest management. To do so, the pillar works on three complementary fronts. It improves the productive potential of pine forests, through genetics and species diversification. It modernises resin tapping, with professional training and new techniques and equipment. And it makes this activity more attractive to forest owners, by showing its economic, environmental and territorial value.
I.1. Strengthening the productive capacity of pine forests
I1.M1. Maritime pine genetic improvement programme specific to resin tapping
Selects the maritime pines that are genetically most productive in resin, based on a trial with around 420 trees from the species’ seven regions of provenance. It also prepares the establishment of three clonal seed orchards, intended to produce improved seed for the pine forests of the future.
Coordination: INIAV
Publications:
Carrasquinho, I., & Gonçalves, E. (2024). Experimental methodology for clonal forest research. In C. António & D. M. Desiderio (Eds.), Monitoring forest damage with metabolomics methods. John Wiley & Sons.
Summary
This chapter sets out the procedures for planning, designing and analysing experimental trials that study the genetic variability of forest species. It pays particular attention to clonal field trials applied to non-wood forest products, such as maritime pine resin and stone pine cones.
I1.M2. Benchmarking of other resin-producing Pinus
Assesses the resin potential of other species, such as stone pine, and of species tapped in other countries and adapted to climate change. It creates a national network of permanent plots to measure tree growth and resin yield.
Coordination: Instituto Superior de Agronomia
Publications:
Soares, P., Ribeiro, C., Ribeiro, M., & Silva, M. E. (2024). Resina natural em Portugal – desafios estratégicos. Revista de Ciências Agrárias, 47(3), 373–382.
Summary
In the 1970s Portugal was one of the world’s largest producers of Natural Resin; today it depends on imports. The article identifies the strategic challenges for reviving production in pine forests: silviculture and production models for wood and resin, up-to-date legislation, training and better working conditions for resin tappers, recognition of the environmental services of resin tapping, and genetic improvement.
Carrabs, J. A. A. (2025). Produção de resina de diferentes pinheiros em Portugal continental [Master’s dissertation, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, University of Lisbon].
Summary
The dissertation sets up a network of permanent resin tapping plots with six Pinus species in mainland Portugal — maritime pine, stone pine, Scots pine, Corsican pine, Monterey pine and Aleppo pine — and weighs the resin produced in the 2023 and 2024 campaigns. Maritime pine confirms high yields in the North and Centre, Aleppo pine performs well, and Corsican and Monterey pines yield less.
I.2. Increasing resin tapping productivity
I2.M1. Training and professionalisation of resin tappers
Sets up the Resin Tapper Academy. Training covers resin tapping, forest management and forest fire prevention, to make resin tapping a qualified and attractive profession.
Coordination: RESIPINUS
I2.M2. R&D in resin tapping techniques and collection containers
Develops new extraction techniques and a bio-based stimulant. It also creates a closed collection container, a mechanised bark-shaving tool and a rapid method to assess resin quality at the factory gate. The aim is more resin, with fewer losses, and a fair price for resin tappers.
Coordination: UTAD
Publications:
Farias, I. S. L., Seixas, N., Vilela, C., Santos, S. A. O., Freire, C. S. R., Vieira, J., Ribeiro, M., Silva, M. E., & Silvestre, A. J. D. (2026). Eutectic mixtures of natural origin as new stimulant formulations for pine resin production. Industrial Crops and Products, 249, 123673.
Summary
Resin yield is usually stimulated with sulphuric acid-based pastes, which pose several risks. The study tests natural alternatives based on eutectic mixtures, which produced between 2.4 and 3 times more resin than the acid paste while keeping a chemical composition suited to industrial use.
Sandim, A. S. A. (2024). Criação de um modelo de planeamento e gestão sustentável de ativos florestais nos baldios [Doctoral thesis, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro].
Summary
The thesis tests smartphone forest inventory apps, compares management models for young maritime pine stands and assesses the financial viability of producing wood, resin or both. The apps proved broadly accurate. The resin-oriented scenario had the best indicators but unattractive absolute values, and the loss of wood was not offset by resin; higher resin prices and economies of scale could reverse this result.
Lopes, D., Louzada, J. L., Moreira, L., Pereira, F., & Silva, M. E. (2026). Effects of resin tapping on the wood properties of Pinus pinaster Ait. Bioresources and Bioproducts, 2(3), 12.
Summary
The study compares wood from maritime pines tapped for four years in Tresminas with wood from untapped trees. Resin tapping did not change mechanical strength or growth ring width. The changes detected — higher density, more extractives and more resin ducts — were localised next to the tapping wound and do not compromise the wood’s performance.
I.3. Making resin tapping more attractive to forest owners
I3.M1. R&D/Communicating gains in pine forest profitability
Calculates the profitability of pine forests with and without resin tapping and brings together good silvicultural practices. It also quantifies the benefits of resin tapping for the territory, such as employment, fire prevention and carbon sequestration. This knowledge reaches forest owners through a decision-support platform and policymakers through public policy proposals.
Coordination: Centro PINUS
Publications:
Sandim, A., Araújo, D., Fonseca, T., & Silva, M. E. (2024). Influence of forest management on the sustainability of community areas in Northern Inland Portugal: A simulated case study assessment. Sustainability, 16(18), 8006.
Summary
The study simulates different management scenarios for naturally regenerated pine stands in the Carvalhelhos community land (baldio), in the Tâmega Valley, varying the number and timing of thinnings. The results show that the management model significantly changes economic and carbon indicators, and that the choice should reflect management objectives and the priorities of local communities.
Lopes, D., Sandim, A., Louzada, J. L., & Silva, M. E. (2025). Resin production in Pinus: A review of the relevant influencing factors and silvicultural practices. Forests, 16(9), 1470.
Summary
This review examines the factors that influence resin production in Pinus stands: tree characteristics, environmental conditions and silvicultural practices such as thinning, pruning and prescribed burning. It concludes that published results are still contradictory and that management models integrating wood and resin are needed, with the potential to increase forest profitability.
Sandim, A., Lopes, D., Louzada, J. L., & Silva, M. E. (2025). Influence of thinning on carbon balance in natural regeneration of Pinus pinaster in Portugal. Land, 14(3), 493.
Summary
The study simulates carbon accumulation in naturally regenerated pine stands in the municipality of Boticas, with and without thinning. From year 24 onwards, managed stands accumulate more carbon — 178 tonnes at the end of the cycle, against 143 in unmanaged stands — and the carbon balance shifts from negative (−18 t) to positive (54 t).
Pillar II focuses on the industrial processing of Natural Resin and its two main derivatives: rosin, the solid fraction, and turpentine, the volatile fraction. Its aim is to make Portuguese industry more efficient, more digital and more circular, and to open markets for higher value-added products. The pillar supports investment by first and second processing companies in three areas: modernising processes, developing more sustainable derivatives and valorising waste. At the same time, it invests in applied research to bring Natural Resin to sectors such as food, packaging, automotive, textiles and footwear, replacing fossil-based raw materials.
II.1. Support for industrial investment and the value chain
II1.M1A. Optimisation of industrial processes for ester production in tubular reactors
Develops a continuous process for producing rosin esters in tubular reactors, as an alternative to batch production. The aim is to use less energy, obtain a more uniform product and validate the technology at pilot scale.
Coordination: KEMI — Pine Rosins
II1.M1B. Optimisation of industrial processes through digitalisation of second processing
Prepares the second processing industry for Industry 4.0. It installs digital platforms and robotic systems in an industrial setting and creates a Digital Twin of the resin processing process.
Coordination: University of Aveiro
Publications:
Marques, B., Junqueira, G., Alves, J., & Pedrosa, E. (2024). Mobile robots meet augmented reality technologies: Transforming human-robot interaction in Industry 4.0 scenarios. In Companion of the 2024 ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI ’24) (pp. 740–744). Association for Computing Machinery.
Summary
Mobile robots make Industry 4.0 assembly lines and warehouses more efficient, but raise challenges of supervision, navigation and safety. The work proposes a mobile Augmented Reality tool that gives operators information on the robots’ status and lets them control them remotely, developed and tested iteratively.
Marques, B., Silva, S., Pedrosa, E., Barros, F., Teixeira, A., & Santos, B. S. (2024). Towards unlimited task coverage and direct (far-off) manipulation in eXtended Reality remote collaboration. In Companion of the 2024 ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI ’24) (pp. 745–749). Association for Computing Machinery.
Summary
Remote collaboration is still limited by what on-site participants can show and by the difficulty of interacting with physical objects. This position paper proposes using mobile robots, equipped with cameras, sensors and articulated arms, as physical avatars of remote participants in Extended Reality environments, and outlines future research directions.
II1.M2A. Industrial R&D to create rosin products for biopolymer-based adhesives
Replaces synthetic antioxidants and other fossil-based raw materials with natural alternatives in rosin resins for adhesives. The aim is 100% bio-based products, free from hazardous raw materials.
Coordination: Pinopine
Publications:
Seixas, N., Serrano, J., Pinto, S., Araújo, B., Viola, B., Vilela, C., Santos, S. A. O., Freire, C. S. R., & Silvestre, A. J. D. (2025). A sustainable approach to produce light-colored rosin and rosin esters during processing using natural antioxidants. Industrial Crops and Products, 238, 122345.
Summary
The study tests natural antioxidants, such as α-tocopherol and thymol, as an alternative to the synthetic antioxidant Lowinox TBM-6 in the production of rosin and rosin esters. The results are equivalent in colour, acidity and softening point, and better in colour when combined with iodine and an inert atmosphere, confirming the potential of natural alternatives.
Seixas, N., Santos, S. A. O., & Silvestre, A. J. D. (2026). Rapid GC-MS characterization of oleoresin, turpentine and rosin using tailored chromatographic programs. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 27(4), 1690.
Summary
The article proposes three rapid gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods to analyse oleoresin, turpentine and rosin using a single column. The methods identify more than 95% of compounds and support industrial quality control, and can then be used for routine analysis by GC-FID.
II1.M2B. Industrial R&D to create hydrogenated rosin products and an industrial scale-up unit
Develops the knowledge and technology to produce hydrogenated rosin on an industrial scale. This derivative has greater market value and is intended for the national and international markets.
Coordination: Gum Chemical
Publications:
Pereira, V. A., Madeira, M. I., Oliveira, R., Simões, P. A., Rocha, F. A., Coelho, J. F. J., & Serra, A. C. (2026). Catalytic transfer hydrogenation of colophony. Molecular Catalysis, 592, 115733.
Summary
The article presents, for the first time, the hydrogenation of rosin by catalytic transfer, using palladium on carbon and without high-pressure hydrogen. With sodium formate as the hydrogen donor, it achieved high conversion rates and a reusable catalyst, offering a simpler and potentially more economical alternative to conventional processes.
II1.M2C. Industrial R&D to create metallocene-compatible rosin products
Modifies the chemical structure of rosin so that it can be combined with polyolefins produced by metallocene catalysis, widely used in adhesives. This opens a new market for national resin.
Coordination: United Resins
Publications:
Macedo, J., Miranda, P., Alves, A., Alves, C., Alves, N., Farinha, D., Lopes, S. M. M., Gonçalves, C., Brito, A. B., Gamboa, V. A., Pereira, N. A. M., Lopes Jesus, A. J., Nogueira, B. A., Justino, L. L. G., Nunes, C. M., Murtinho, D., Pineiro, M., Ferreira, A. M., Fausto, R., & Pinho e Melo, T. M. V. D. (2026). Structural modifications of abietic acid and a computational protocol to predict their compatibility in different environments. RSC Advances, 16(41), 48080–48089.
Summary
The article describes structural modifications of abietic acid, the main resin acid in rosin, and a computational protocol that predicts the polarity and compatibility of the derivatives in different media. The predictions agree with experimental trends, making the method a tool for designing rosin derivatives with the desired properties.
II1.M2D. New applications and niches for rosin – scale-up of “metallocene-compatible” rosin
Installs a flexible pilot unit to produce and certify the new derivatives developed in the previous measure. This unit enables chemical modifications that conventional industrial processes cannot achieve.
Coordination: United Resins
II1.M3A. Transition to renewables and efficient use of water and energy
Analyses the consumption of energy, water and other resources in the sector’s companies. On that basis, it defines a roadmap of good practices to reduce environmental impact and make production processes more efficient.
Coordination: INESC TEC
II1.M3B. Valorisation of bark and other first-processing residues
Turns the bark residue left from resin filtration into a saleable by-product, for example for garden landscaping or for biomass energy. A waste becomes a resource.
Coordination: Nares
II1.M3C. Valorisation of sludge and other first- and second-processing residues
Studies ways of using the sludge left from resin filtration, to reduce the sector’s waste and make better use of forest resources.
Coordination: Nares
II.2. New applications and stronger markets
II2.M1A. New applications and niches for rosin – Food and agriculture
Develops rosin-based capsules and protective films for food packaging. These materials offer better protection against oxygen and moisture, making food last longer and reducing waste.
Coordination: TECMEAT
II2.M1B. New applications and niches for rosin – Materials and packaging
Develops a biopolymer that can be used together with rosin resins in adhesives, packaging and other composite materials. It is an alternative to fossil-based polymers, and its production is validated at pilot scale.
Coordination: KEMI — Pine Rosins
II2.M1C. New applications and niches for rosin – Automotive
Develops structural and decorative parts for car interiors from rosin derivatives and biopolymers. The parts are injection-moulded and finished with more sustainable technologies.
Coordination: Simoldes
II2.M2. Promotion of second processing of turpentine
Adds value to turpentine by producing polyterpene resins on an industrial scale for adhesives, food products and composites, and takes them to the international market.
Coordination: Gum Rosin
II2.M3A. R&D for the use of Natural Resin in textiles
Develops fibres, films and textile structures from rosin-based biopolymers. It also uses rosin in dyeing and finishing, to make the textile and clothing industry more sustainable.
Coordination: Tintex
II2.M3B. R&D for the use of Natural Resin in footwear
Formulates stronger and more stable rosin adhesives for footwear. It also develops rosin-based materials for soles and other components, replacing fossil-based solutions.
Coordination: CTCP
Pillar III cuts across the whole project and seeks to establish Natural Resin with the market and consumers. It is a bio-based, renewable product that can replace petroleum derivatives, and one of the success stories of the bioeconomy in Portugal. This pillar highlights the quality of Portuguese resin and its traceability. It also highlights what the sector does for sustainable forest management, fire prevention and the development of the Centre and interior of the country. To that end, it creates a distinctive seal and addresses communication to two audiences: end consumers and business decision-makers.
III.1. Creation of an Iberian “seal”
III1.M1. Creation of a “seal” and technical dissemination
Creates Resinae®, the distinctive brand for Iberian Natural Resin, and researches ways of tracing resin along the entire chain, from the forest to the final product. It also publishes the technical magazine Resinae, covering the whole value chain. This guarantees the quality and origin of products and makes them easier for consumers to recognise.
Coordination: CoLAB ForestWISE
Publications:
III.2. Communication and marketing
III2.M1. Communication and marketing
Carries out communication and marketing actions for two audiences. It shows end consumers why it matters to choose products with Natural Resin. And it encourages companies, in Portugal and in the main European markets, to use it instead of petroleum derivatives.
Coordination: CoLAB ForestWISE