29 October 2025 (Observador) – Observador published the special feature “The New Era of Natural Resin”, which presents Natural Resin as a key raw material in the transition to a sustainable bioeconomy and showcases the results of the RN21 Integrated Project.

From the forest to us, Natural Resin plays a central role in the transition to a sustainable bioeconomy.

When you read a book, chew gum, put on perfume or drive your car, you probably don’t imagine that a single natural element may be present in all of these products: Natural Resin. Discreet yet versatile, this raw material is essential to countless sectors – from glues to tyres, from paints to cosmetics, from adhesives to new formulations used in textiles, footwear, food and automotive products – and Natural Resin is taking on a new prominence in the age of the bioeconomy.

A historic connection

Portugal’s connection to Natural Resin is historic. During the Age of Discovery, it was indispensable for caulking ships and, in the 20th century, it took on great economic and social importance, making the country the world’s third-largest producer. Over time, competition from countries such as Brazil and China, among other economic and social factors, led to the decline of national production; however, its potential was never forgotten.

What is Natural Resin?

Natural Resin is a biological product extracted from maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) and other pine species. It is a 100% natural, renewable and biodegradable resource, with unique properties that allow it to replace petroleum derivatives in a range of industrial applications.

Resin production involves four stages:

1 – Extraction: carried out by resin tappers, directly from the pine trunk;

2 – First processing: the resin is distilled and filtered, producing two main products: rosin (solid) and turpentine (liquid);

3 – Second processing: rosin and turpentine are processed in factories, giving rise to new derivatives;

4 – Industrial applications: the resulting derivatives are incorporated into countless everyday products, such as technical rubbers, paints, depilatory waxes and adhesives.

A strategic value chain for the country

The Natural Resin value chain was recently selected, together with the Textile and Clothing sector and the Footwear and Leather Goods sector, for funding under Component C12 – Sustainable Bioeconomy of the Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Plan, in recognition of the strategic value of these sectors.

The recognition of Natural Resin rests not only on its versatility and ability to replace fossil resources, but also on its social and economic importance for inland regions. Tapping resin from maritime pine, currently the third most common forest species in Portugal, creates jobs, generates local income and contributes to territorial cohesion.

Resin tappers, the workers who extract resin sustainably, are a regular presence in the forest and play an important role in forest management, particularly in clearing scrub and in the early detection of wildfires.

The impact of the RN21 Integrated Project

The RN21 Integrated Project has revitalised and modernised the sector across its entire value chain. In forest production, the project launched a genetic improvement programme to create trees with higher resin yields and developed a new mechanised tapping method, which reduces the physical effort required of resin tappers and produces cleaner, higher-quality resin. In parallel, a training programme was created to prepare new professionals for this activity.

RN21’s impact extends to the processing industry, promoting robotisation, digitalisation and process efficiency. Technological modernisation has been accompanied by the creation of disruptive new products, opening doors to markets previously dominated by petroleum derivatives.

The versatility of Natural Resin is evident in the results achieved across different industrial sectors, where biopolymers incorporating 5% to 30% resin derivatives were used for the following applications:

  • Food and agriculture – development of packaging films that helped extend the shelf life of food.
  • Automotive – injection-moulded components for car interiors, demonstrating resin’s contribution to making the sector more sustainable.
  • Footwear – biopolymers for producing soles, and new adhesive formulations for different footwear applications, enhancing product durability and performance.
  • Textiles and clothing – applications ranging from fibres made with resin-enhanced biopolymers to natural mordants used in dyeing, replacing fossil raw materials. One of the most promising developments was the use of Natural Resin derivatives in the production of synthetic leathers, yielding materials of high aesthetic quality and commercial potential.

The results of RN21 clearly demonstrate the value of this natural, sustainable raw material for Portuguese industry. In a global context of more conscious consumers and increasingly demanding sectors, Natural Resin is establishing itself as an ally in the transition to forest-based solutions.

Resinae®: identifying and adding value to Natural Resin

To make these raw materials easier to identify, the Resinae® – Pinaster Natural Resin brand was registered, based on an innovative system of valorisation, traceability and sustainability for maritime pine resin derivatives. Currently being implemented, Resinae® will identify products sourced from sustainably managed European maritime pine forests and processed according to rigorous environmental and social criteria.

Use of the brand will be governed by membership requirements applicable to the entire value chain, from forest producers to processing industries and user markets. The system will also include differentiated labelling that identifies the percentage of maritime pine Natural Resin incorporated in the final product (10%, 40%, 70% or 100%), promoting transparency and market competitiveness.

Initially aimed at professional sectors, Resinae® aspires to reach the end consumer and strengthen the economic value of maritime pine resin, boosting the competitiveness of the Portuguese sector and reducing dependence on synthetic alternatives.

A resource at the heart of the bioeconomy

Natural Resin is returning to the heart of the bioeconomy as a symbol of a greener, more circular and more responsible transition. Combining technological innovation with forest know-how, the work carried out under RN21 and the creation of the Resinae® brand show that it is possible to reconcile productivity, sustainability and territorial value.

The future of this value chain depends on integrated, collaborative action spanning territory, forest and industry – creating innovative products, reducing the fossil footprint and strengthening the competitiveness of the national and European economy, towards a truly sustainable economic and social model.

Originally published in Observador.