BIO-HEAL

Utilization of forest biomass residues towards the production of functionalized wound healing biomaterials

Project team: Io Antonopoulou (project leader)

Partners: Linn Berglund, Wood and Bionanocomposites, LTU

Duration: 2022-2023

Funded by the Luleå University of Technology's initiative “Natural Resources for Sustainability transitions” (SUN)

Climate change drives a need for transition towards a sustainable society and circular economy. Forest residues, as byproduct from forest harvesting and processing, are produced in large amounts within Sweden and currently used for bioenergy. BIO-HEAL aims to develop a green and sustainable process to valorize forest residues by combining biotechnology and material science. BIO-HEAL will produce biodegradable functionalized dressings with wound-healing properties based on forest biomass. The quality and time of wound healing impacts the life of many humans and animals. We aim for the development of novel biomaterials that will accelerate healing by quenching inflammation, bleeding, potential infection and scaring.