REGULUS-ISAR: Innovation Network for the Use of Waste Wood on a Regional Level, Subproject 4 (ISAR)
The project aims to develop an innovative concept for the cyclic material utilization of recovered wood as a material (during the research phase) and its validation in real labs in Bavaria (during the implementation phase). The Chair of Marketing and Management of Biogenic Resources at University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf (HSWT) is involved in the investigation of consumer acceptance of the products developed from recovered wood. Focus groups and an online survey representative of the market will assess consumer preferences for innovative products made from recovered wood materials. Further evaluations will establish the extent of corporate interest in utilizing these products and assess customers' willingness to pay for them. Ultimately, the project aims to propose recommendations for successfully introducing new product concepts to the market.
Background
The shift from a fossil-fueled economy to a bio-based one proposes greater use of wood as a dependable renewable resource. Nonetheless, it is crucial to utilize wood in a circular manner to ensure efficient practice and long-term carbon sequestration. In 2018, the majority of recovered wood from Bavaria came to use for energy production. Only 20% of the total 1.59 million tons were recycled for material purposes. A similar disparity in the use of recovered wood for material versus energy usage prevails throughout Germany. To achieve a paradigm shift in the utilization of recovered wood, it is crucial to focus on its life cycle, including incorporating alternative materials and carbon storage. To develop lifecycle-based concepts for using recovered wood, which result in cascading value chains, collaboration with various stakeholders is important.
Aim of the project
The project aims to create a circular strategy for utilizing reclaimed wood via an innovative, open-ended approach and validating it in real Bavarian laboratories. The results will reveal optimization potentials and practical implementation methods, leading to development of a transformation roadmap. This will provides an opportunity to transfer the strategy to other regions.
In addition to modeling the future supply of recovered wood and optimizing the recovered wood value chain, the project aims to analyze the environmental impact and consumer acceptance associated with each of the following innovation paths:
- Conditions for dimensionally stable use of recovered wood,
- Use of recovered wood in bio-refineries,
- Use of recovered wood as a substrate for fungal mycelium-based materials.
