26 September 2023 (Agricultura e Mar) – Agricultura e Mar announced the public presentation of the RN21 Integrated Project, on 10 October, at the United Resins facilities in Figueira da Foz, attended by the Minister for the Environment and Climate Action, Duarte Cordeiro.
The bioeconomy at the service of a traditional sector
According to CoLAB ForestWISE, the project coordinator, a sustainable and circular bioeconomy contributes to the goals of the European Green Deal and can revitalise traditional sectors based on natural resources, such as resin production and processing. With an investment of more than 26 million euros and a grant of 17.5 million euros, RN21 brings together 37 entities.
Three pillars of action
The first pillar focuses on raw material production: increasing pine forest productivity, optimising resin tapping with new products and technologies and engaging forest owners. The second supports investment in first and second processing, innovation across the value chain and the creation of markets for bio-based products derived from resin. The third provides for a certification seal attesting the sustainability of Natural Resin and its derivatives, from the pine forest to the final product.
Carlos Fonseca, CTO of CoLAB ForestWISE, describes RN21 as a unique opportunity for the sector, able to generate value from producers to market and to help reduce wildfire risk, support rural development and strengthen territorial cohesion.
Originally published in Agricultura e Mar.