Biochemical conversion of bark

Bark is a renewable resource produced in enormous amounts, but it is currently regarded as a waste product without value. The bark contains multiple interesting components that could be of interest in energy-related applications, and using biochemical extraction, separation and selective degradation of these, harmful solvents and energy-intensive processes could be avoided. To efficiently utilize the structural complexity of the bark, a greater fundamental understanding of the enzymes involved in the biological degradation process is however required. In this project we follow the biological decomposition of bark and analyze the enzymatic processes in order to identify promising biochemical strategies to valorize bark in future industrial processes.

Partner organizations

• Norwegian University of Life Sciences (Academic, Norway)