Upgrade of the Centre of Excellence LignoSilva

Project Information

LignoSilva

Grant agreement ID: 101059552

DOI

10.3030/101059552

EC signature date 13 December 2023

Start date 1 January 2024

End date 31 December 2029

Funded under

• Widening participation and spreading excellence

Total cost

€ 14 710 000,00

EU contribution

€ 14 710 000,00

Coordinated by

NARODNE LESNICKE CENTRUM
Slovakia

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - LignoSilva (Upgrade of the Centre of Excellence LignoSilva)

Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

VISION: The vision of CoE LignoSilva is to be a key factor that will support the sustainable development of the forest-wood and pulp & paper sector based on the synergy of excellent science and practice.
With its focus, CoE reflects the need to transform the sector into an industry with higher added value and the current societal demand for the structural transition of society from a fossil to a low-carbon economy based on renewable resources and a circular bioeconomy.
CoE LignoSilva is ambitious to become a relevant European scientific entity with the perspective of directly applying its results, which will actively participate and professionally shape multi-level relationships in forestry and the wood and paper processing complex.

CONTEXT AND STRATEGY: National Forest Centre and Pulp and Paper Research Institute, two of the most important Slovak's institutions of applied research in forestry, woodworking, paper and pulp processing, established a joint centre of excellence (CoE LignoSilva) in 2020. In cooperation with the leading European partner Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research, Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institute WKI, they carried out an intensive consultation process with stakeholders from the business and research sectors, with whom they discussed the focus of the CoE LignoSilva. Based on these analyses, both institutions reassessed their strategic focus and long-term research programme and prepared a proposal for the further development of CoE LignoSilva.
With the CoE LignoSilva modernisation project, both institutions follow up on the results achieved in 2015-2023 in building the centre's unique infrastructure. The strategy of further development of CoE reflect the main themes of the Horizon Europe Widespread-teaming call, in particular:
• overcome significant differences between high- and low-performing EU countries;
• bridge the insufficient intensity of research and innovation and the uncompetitive position in the European and global systems of research and innovation;
• to build a centre of excellence with sufficient competence for the strategic involvement of countries and regions on the path of innovative growth;
• to build long-term partnerships with leading scientific institutions in the EU.

The essence of the modernisation of the existing Center of Excellence LignoSilva lies in the institutional reform aimed at introducing European standards of science management, increasing excellence, expanding research capacities, digital transformation based on the implementation of Forestry 4.0 Sawmill 4.0 and Pulp & Paper 4.0 into the research innovative activities of the centre, support for the mobility of researchers, open science and a more effective transfer of knowledge to the business sector.

The CoE's research focuses on 3 priority areas and 9 research programmes that connect the value chain from wood production in forestry through mechanical and chemical (pulp and paper) processing to waste recycling and its return as fertiliser admixture to production forestry and agroforestry systems.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The LignoSilva Centre of Excellence (CoE) has significantly advanced research capacity, infrastructure, and innovation in the forest-based bioeconomy. Its work focused on establishing governance, strengthening human resources, deploying cutting-edge infrastructure, and implementing demonstration cases to accelerate the transfer of scientific results into practice.

A critical achievement was the creation of a strong research base, with over 60 scientists from the National Forest Centre (NFC), the Pulp and Paper Research Institute (PPRI), and Fraunhofer WKI. The Job Catalogue, Mobility and Exchange Program facilitated recruitment, training, and international exchanges, while the CoE Internal Grant Agency supported early-career scientists through preparatory projects.

The project delivered key infrastructure, including a 3D Computer Tomography (CT) scanning line for non-destructive wood testing and an experimental incubator for special paper development. These flagship facilities are unique in Europe and worldwide: the CT scanner enables advanced virtual wood grading, while the incubator supports innovation in multifunctional papers. Additionally, the Open Bank of 3D Scans of Wood Logs was established, providing FAIR-compliant access to datasets for researchers globally.

The backbone of knowledge transfer was the implementation of eight demonstration cases (DCs):
DC01 (ForScan) developed advanced 3D forest inventory and assortment workflows using LiDAR and radar scanning.
DC02 (Sawmill 4.0) applied 3D CT scanning for wood grading and cutting optimisation.
DC03 (WoodFlow) tested RFID-based digital traceability, increasing transparency in wood supply chains.
DC04 (Smart Paper Production) combined real-time sensors, neural networks, and spectrometry to optimise energy and quality in papermaking.
DC05 (WoodRec) prepared models and guidelines for waste wood recovery and contaminant analysis.
DC06–07 (WasteUse & Agroforestry) trialled nutrient recycling of cellulose sludge and wood ash, showing promising soil and plant growth impacts, with multiple scientific publications.
DC08 (WoodPests) launched an open-access pest monitoring platform with 228 species and 10,000 images.

Scientific outputs included peer-reviewed publications, conference papers, patents, and collaborations with industry partners such as WiseWerk. The CoE also strengthened European integration by working with Fraunhofer WKI, engaging in BIOEAST, and contributing to the Forest-based Technology Platform, ensuring results support EU bioeconomy and Green Deal objectives.

Dissemination and communication activities were extensive. A new website and social media channels were created, alongside systematic outreach through conferences, workshops, exhibitions, and the CoE Open Day. Media partnerships with national TV and specialised journals amplified visibility. Exploitation efforts focused on building business and IPR strategies, ensuring innovations move towards market uptake and industrial application.

In sum, LignoSilva has established an interdisciplinary and innovation-driven environment that combines advanced infrastructure, applied research, and strong stakeholder engagement. Its achievements in digitalisation, recycling technologies, sustainable agroforestry, and novel paper development highlight its potential to serve as a regional hub of excellence, strengthening European scientific leadership and competitiveness in the bioeconomy

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The realisation of the CSA project will especially help to overcome disparities between member states in the term of insufficient R&I intensity by 1) concentrating sufficient critical mass of science and technology experts able to stimulate structural changes and growth of FBS with help of 2) functioning service-oriented CoE administration.

LignoSilva governance structure and management diagram

LignoSilva logo