At the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, we are exploring how birch bark waste—a largely underutilized byproduct of the plywood and pulp industries—can be transformed into eco-friendly wood protection solutions. Instead of burning birch bark for energy, the institutes latest research, led by Daniela Godina , investigates how suberinic acids (SA) extracted from birch bark can serve as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based wood treatments.
Key Findings from Our Study (Published in the Journal of Renewable Materials):
- Suberinic acids enhance wood’s resistance to moisture and fungal degradation, extending its durability.
- SA-based solutions can replace harmful chemicals currently used in construction and wood preservation.
- Ethanol-dissolved suberinic acids (DSA-EtOH) demonstrated the best impregnation efficiency and long-term resistance to leaching.
- The findings open doors to eco-friendly coatings, adhesives, and protective treatments for sustainable construction.
Why does this matter?
Circular bioeconomy in action – Instead of waste incineration, we upcycle birch bark into valuable materials.
- Sustainable building solutions – SA-treated wood offers improved water resistance without toxic additives.
- New possibilities for green chemistry – Further research could optimize SA formulations for broader applications.
Read the full paper here (Technical study for materials science & bioeconomy professionals)
Meet the Scientist Behind the Research – Daniela Godiņa Daniela is a 2025 Baltic States Fellowship recipient for Women in Science and a specialist in analytical chemistry at LSIWC. Her research focuses on birch bark’s chemical composition, including suberinic acids for wood protection and betulin. With 11 scientific publications in 2024, she is a recognized researcher advancing sustainable material science. Passionate about innovation, she actively contributes to scientific outreach and student mentoring.
