Bio4Energy, Targeted Project, 2022-2023

Development of energy-efficient processing technology of wood biomass into nanofibers and biocomposites through the use of fungal pretreated substrates accessing the sustainability goals.

This project aims to develop an energy-efficient method for nanofibrillation of biologically pretreated wood, particularly with wood-based spent mushroom substrate (SMS). The underlying concept is that fungi grown on wood produce enzymes that selectively break down lignin and hemicellulose, leaving most cellulose intact. This 'fungal pretreatment' requires minimal energy and no chemicals, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional delignification methods.

The project is carried out as a collaboration between LTU Wood and Bionanocomposites (Prof. Kristiina Oksman and Associate Prof. Linn Berglund), LTU Biochemical Process Engineering, SLU Forest Biomaterials, and UmU-Kemi.