Natural resin, a sustainable natural resource derived from pine forests, generates value and promotes forest management, contributing to territorial cohesion and industrial development. Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) is the main producing species, and its industrial transformation enables a wide range of products and applications that are part of our daily lives.
From the forest to our everyday lives:
Natural, renewable, and biodegradable, maritime pine resin is a resource that replaces fossil-based derivatives and supports the goals of sustainability and carbon neutrality. It is present in the books we leaf through, in food packaging, air fresheners, depilatory waxes, soft drinks, chewing gum, tyres, and even in enabling the bow of a violin to produce a high-quality sound. A discreet raw material, embedded in our daily lives, it strengthens the bioeconomy.
Forest care, reduced risks:
Resin tapping enables greater profitability in the management of maritime pine forests, while actively promoting sustainable forest management. At the same time, resin extraction involves the presence of workers in forest areas, mainly during the warmer months, reducing fuel loads and providing continuous surveillance of the stands where they operate. This has a direct impact on reducing wildfire risk and protecting against pests and diseases. A well-managed forest is a well-defended forest.
Forest – territory – people: when everyone benefits:
When forest management in pine stands is promoted, wood is no longer the only resource — resin also becomes a source of value, increasing income for landowners. When forests are properly managed and cared for, territories become more resilient to wildfires. When natural resin is harvested and utilised, it enables job creation in rural areas and in the industries where it is processed and transformed.
This is the driving force behind the RN21 Project: transforming knowledge into real value, innovating and acting both in the forest and in industry, with tangible impact on the economy and communities.
An innovation project looking to the future:
The RN21 Integrated Project, led by CoLAB ForestWISE, brings together 36 partners and is modernising the entire natural resin value chain in Portugal, with impact across multiple markets. Its objectives are to strengthen the economic resilience of this value chain, contribute to carbon neutrality, reinforce territorial cohesion, and support applied research for the development of new products and markets — transforming knowledge into concrete solutions.
Paulo Fragoso spoke on Rádio Renascença with Rogério Rodrigues, Director of the RN21 Project, led by CoLAB ForestWISE:
Listen again to the conversation between Paulo Fragoso and Rogério Rodrigues.
Results that remain in the territory:
To improve and professionalise resin tapping activities, the RN21 Project introduces several innovations in tapping techniques and promotes the Resin Tappers Academy, offering training that develops technical skills and safety practices, making this profession more attractive to new workers. This is a direct contribution to territorial cohesion, creating more opportunities and supporting population retention in inland regions.
What resin is used for:
Everything begins in the pine forest. Resin tappers extract resin from the pine tree. In primary processing industries, distillation separates rosin (solid fraction) and turpentine (liquid fraction). These are then further processed in secondary transformation industries, generating a wide range of derivatives used in adhesives, paints and coatings, solvents, fragrances, and bioplastics.
Industry and innovation: from forest to factory:
Innovations driven by the RN21 Project transform rosin and turpentine into new solutions. In the automotive sector, they are used as technical biopolymers in doors and dashboards, maintaining performance while reducing dependence on fossil-based materials. In the footwear industry, they are used in adhesives and other bio-based components. In packaging, they are applied in films and formulations that combine quality with sustainability. In textiles, they enable the creation of more sustainable fabrics.
Sustainability in action:
RN21 promotes the development of more efficient industrial processes in terms of energy and water use, as well as digitalisation and the installation of industrial equipment for the development of new formulations that replace fossil-based inputs.
The Resinae® brand adds value and recognition to natural resin from Pinus pinaster of European origin, reinforcing the commitment of the entire value chain to the highest standards of quality and sustainability.
RESINAE® – trust you can read on the label:
The RESINAE® – Pinaster Natural Resin brand introduces value and recognition to our natural resin, reinforcing the commitment of the entire value chain to the highest standards of quality and sustainability.
The model is based on environmental and social criteria (FSC®/PEFC) and uses a labelling system that enables different resin incorporation levels (10%, 40%, 70%, or 100%).
How to recognise and support this value chain:
Follow the evolution of RESINAE® pilot projects. As proof-of-concept initiatives transition into commercial products, it will become possible to identify products incorporating natural resin. Through informed choices, you can support those working on the ground to build a more sustainable future for all.
Some curiosities…
Did you know that natural resin has accompanied human civilisation since Ancient Egypt, where it was used in the mummification process? In Portugal, it has been documented since the 15th century, playing a crucial role in sealing ships during the Age of Exploration. In the 1970s, Portugal was the world’s third-largest resin producer; today, recovery is driven by innovation, skills development, and incorporation into new markets, through structured initiatives such as the RN21 Project. Producing and using natural resin in Portugal increases sustainability, replaces fossil-based alternatives, and reduces the ecological footprint of countless products.
Originally published in Rádio Renascença.